From 2030 at the latest, driving in Uber in any of the Canadian, American and European cities should automatically mean taking an electric car. And after another ten years, it will be true everywhere else in the world. This is the relatively bold plan of an American transport company that wants to significantly electrify its fleet, even though it does not own the cars that run under it.
According to February data, the strength of Uber and its services offered worldwide should be approximately 5 million drivers, and therefore 5 million vehicles. Even though many Uber drivers already use hybrids and electric cars, the vast majority still arrive at the car with an internal combustion engine when the driver is called.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, only 0.15% of all Uber mileage in Canada and the United States was covered by electric propulsion – and that’s exactly what Uber would like to change. The company is aware that those 5 million cars have a significant impact on the environment.
How informed magazine Wired, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi made it clear that the company does not care: “Uber has a clear responsibility to reduce its environmental impact. We are committed to working with cities to tackle the climate crisis more aggressively than ever before. ”
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber
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However, the question is how Uber wants to electrify the fleet of its cars, when in fact it does not own them. The strict commandment “become electric or do not drive” would not have to be very successful in this case. Uber is dependent on his drivers, and without them, his entire business would fall apart like a house of cards.
In addition, there is still the fact that drivers are often people who just earn extra money by driving for Uber, and buying a brand new electric car, whose prices are still high compared to classic cars, would not make any financial sense to them at all.
18 billion for greener services
That’s why Uber comes up with a package of incentives and rewards to motivate drivers to join its green agenda. As part of these incentives, Uber has set aside $ 800 million, or approximately 18 billion crowns, which it will use over the next five years to motivate its drivers to exchange a petrol taxi for one of the electric cars.
Uber drivers should choose from General Motors vehicles or the Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi alliance, which is the second largest car manufacturer in the world after Volkswagen. It was with these carmakers that Uber concluded contracts, on the basis of which it will be more advantageous for Uber drivers to purchase a new electric car.
Specifically at GM, the Chevrolet Bolt is available with a discount of up to $ 2,750, ie approximately 60,000 crowns, which will reduce the price of the car offered on the US market for $ 36,000. In addition, over time, the portfolio of discounted electric cars should grow thanks to the current negotiations that Uber is leading with other car manufacturers.
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The Chevrolet Bolt is one of the cars that will benefit
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Uber drivers should also be able to recharge their electric cars at better prices. Specifically with the EVGo charging station operator, charging should be 10 to 25% cheaper. And thanks to the partnership with Avis, it should also be more advantageous to rent a car.
Last but not least, drivers with electric cars should receive higher rewards for their services than owners of conventional cars. Uber has implemented a similar strategy in the past, as part of a program called EV Champions, which would give electric car drivers $ 1 more for each ride. Now, American and Canadian drivers offering Green rides, as Uber calls electric transport, should receive an extra $ 1.5.
This brings us to the customers themselves – the driver receives 50 cents directly from those who decide to ride the electric wave as part of a green ride. The remaining dollar goes straight from Uber.
More electric cars, better climate
If Ubera really succeeds in fulfilling its plan within the set time horizon, the changes could have a positive impact on the automotive industry, which is currently very interested in the massive expansion of electric cars, as well as on climate improvement.
The automotive industry is embarking on electromobility with increasing vigor, and electrifying the services offered by Uber can help. Not only will there be an interest in electric cars directly from the Uber drivers themselves, but a large number of people, ie potential customers, will come into contact with the electric car of this or that brand. At the same time, many of them have not yet had the opportunity to ride an electric car, ie a car that offers a slightly different driving experience than we are used to with conventional cars. This experience can break their distrust or immediately provoke a serious interest in buying.
The math is still simple. The more electric cars on the roads, the less conventional ones pollute their surroundings. Data provided by Uber itself show that cars included in its fleet produce 41% more carbon dioxide over a mile than cars used for private purposes. The main reason is the distance traveled from one customer to another.
Moreover, Uber is not the only company that wants to have a substantial part of its cars electric in 2030. A similar decision was made by rival Lyft, another US company focused on mobility services. Thanks to ever-increasing electrification, the problematic urban environment, where Uber and other transport companies drive most often, could be significantly helped.
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