Uber is introducing a new incentive package for London drivers switching to electric vehicles (EVs), which includes a £5,000 grant per driver, with a total investment of £145 million.
Drivers can use the £5,000 as a lump sum to buy a new or used EV, or apply it towards a rental or rent-to-buy scheme.
This grant is part of Uber’s Clean Air Plan. Launched in 2019, the plan added a small fee for riders using petrol or diesel vehicles within the M25, with the proceeds earmarked for this initiative.
The grant is in addition to existing discounts on the PartnerPoint platform, where drivers can save up to £17,000 on selected hybrid and pure-electric vehicles, including various Kia models.
Uber is also offering three months of free charging through a partnership with bp Pulse, valued at around £750 for the average driver. After the trial period, drivers will receive discounted rates at bp Pulse charging points.
Additionally, Uber is investing £5 million into public charging points across London.
This enhanced incentive package will be available starting Tuesday, 21 May.
Addressing affordability, Uber highlights the cost benefits of running an EV in London, considering factors like the Congestion Charge, Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fees, and higher petrol and diesel prices. Despite the end of the UK Government’s plug-in car grant, Uber aims to make EVs more affordable and charging more accessible for high-mileage drivers, with a goal to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles from its London network by the end of 2025.
Andrew Brem, Uber’s general manager for the UK, stated, “Now is the time to speed up on electrification, not slow down. We cannot reach our collective zero-emission goals without continued action from policymakers and investment across the industry. Uber drivers can be the catalyst for accelerating electrification across the transport sector, but collaboration will be crucial to combat air pollution and work towards a more sustainable future.”
Earlier this year, Uber introduced an in-app feature allowing riders to track the carbon emissions of their journeys, encouraging the selection of zero-emission vehicles.
https://www.uber.com/gb/en/u/drive-journey-to-electric/
