Uber commits to become a zero-emission platform by 2040
Uber announced that it will use only electric cars in the USA, Canada, and Europe by 2030 and by 2040 in the rest of the world. To meet these goals, Uber has committed to implementing measures in four key areas. (1) Rewarding drivers for switching to electric vehicles (EVs), (2) investing in multi-modal transport, (3) being transparent on climate impact, (4) collaborating with policymakers. The platform has promised US$ 800 million to support drivers transition to EVs by 2025. This amount will be partly funded by the Uber Green Programme, which allows riders to request a ride in an EV or hybrid vehicle for an extra US$ 1. This programme will be implemented in more than 65 cities by the end of 2020. Uber is also collaborating with carmakers to extend attractive offers on EVs to drivers. Uber is partnering with GM in the USA and Canada; and with Renault-Nissan in Europe. The platform is also joining forces with innovative companies, such as Ample, which offers a robotic alternative to EV battery charging. Uber has also committed to strengthen its collaboration with government stakeholders. In London, the company launched the London Clean Air Plan and aims to achieve the transition to all-electric by 2025. In France, Uber is also launching a Clean Air Plan, which allocates money to help French drivers to buy EVs. To enhance the use of EVs in Europe, Uber released a white paper that outlines the road map for partnerships with public and private leaders in EU cities to achieve 100% all-electric vehicles. To comply with its transparency commitment, Uber released its first Climate Assessment and Performance Report. The report analyses data from 4 billion rides intermediated by the platform in the USA and Canada between 2017-2019. Uber had the support from several institutions, including the World Resources Institute, the California Energy Commission, the European Federation for Transport and Environment, and the World Economic Forum (WEF).