- Uber and C40 Cities, a global network of mayors of some of the world’s leading cities, have agreed an international partnership to boost public EV charging infrastructure across three major cities.
- London in the UK, along with Boston and Phoenix in the U.S., are set to see EV charging accessibility for Uber drivers dramatically improved as part of the project.
- The efforts aim to benefit over 55,000 Uber drivers across the three cities, assisting them in making the switch to fully-electric vehicles by ensuring wide availability of EV chargers.
Uber and C40 look to increase public EV charging infrastructure
With Uber already committing to an all-electric future, this move follows Uber’s ongoing surveys around its driver’s attitudes towards electric vehicles, which it began studying in 2021. Whilst previously, the main barrier was the initial cost of an EV, increasingly cheap new EVs has significantly reduced that barrier – and for the first time since its survey began, access to charging has now been identified as the biggest barrier to EV adoption amongst its drivers. In this new partnership, the two firms will look to unlock policies to boost EV charging not only in the three aforementioned cities, but in cities and towns across the globe.
As part of the strategy, Uber has also launched its own Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Estimator (EVIE) tool, which will give cities access to data which shows projected demand for EV charging coming specifically from Uber drivers, in order for EV charger planning to be supported. Uber has also launched a deal with electric mobility provider Vmoto, to offer discounted prices on e-mopeds for its courier riders across Europe.
Rebecca Tinucci, Global Head of Sustainability, Uber, commented:
“Uber is committed to an all-electric future. With the right charging infrastructure in place, drivers can earn more, deliver a better rider experience and help tackle air pollution. We’re proud to partner with C40 and city leaders to help unlock EV infrastructure where it is most needed. Reliable, accessible charging will help accelerate economic opportunity for thousands of drivers and create healthier communities in the process.”
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, added:
“In London, we want to bring everyone along on the journey to clean air and sustainable travel. Whether it’s our emergency services, taxis, private hire, delivery vans, or any of the other essential transport moving through the city daily, we know that increasing the number of zero emission vehicles will result in cleaner air and less emissions. As Mayor of London and Co-Chair of C40, I look forward to working with Uber to support essential drivers to access charging where they need it most.”
