Uber Offers £5,000 Grants for London EV Transition
In a bid to fulfill its commitment to making all Uber vehicles in London fully electric by the end of 2025, the ride-hailing giant is offering £5,000 grants to drivers who transition to electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative aims to expedite the adoption of electric vehicles and combat air pollution in the city.
Flexible Grant Usage
Drivers have the flexibility to utilize the £5,000 grant either as a lump sum towards purchasing an EV or through weekly payments for rental or rent-to-buy agreements. Additionally, Uber has negotiated discounts ranging from £12,000 to £17,000 on selected EV models, further incentivizing drivers to make the switch.
Current Electric Mileage and Fleet Size
Approximately a quarter of Uber journeys in London are already conducted using electric cars. With over 100,000 Uber vehicles across the UK, half of which are in London, this initiative holds the potential to significantly increase the proportion of electric vehicles within the ride-hailing fleet.
Industry Collaboration and Environmental Goals
Andrew Brem, Uber’s UK general manager, emphasized the importance of collaboration among policymakers and industry stakeholders to accelerate electrification efforts. He stressed that Uber drivers can play a pivotal role in driving the transition towards sustainable transportation, highlighting the need for collective action to combat air pollution and work towards a more sustainable future.
Mayor's Endorsement
London Mayor Sadiq Khan lauded Uber's initiative, aligning it with his mission to make London a net-zero city by 2030. Khan emphasized the critical role of electrifying buses and cars in achieving this goal and welcomed Uber's efforts to support drivers in transitioning from gasoline or diesel vehicles to electric ones.
