Uber has acknowledged its "responsibility" as one of the contributors to tackle the challenge brought by climate change and global warming. The ride-hailing company has promised that by 2040, its customers worldwide will be able to experience an all-electric fleet. But the US, Canada, and Europe will experience this a decade earlier, which is in 2030.
The company has also promised to spend $800 million to help drivers switch to electric cars, which creates partnerships with manufacturers to get a discount.
Additionally, users will have the option to choose between an electric or a hybrid vehicle. Uber said that option would be available in 15 cities within the US and Canada for an extra $1 charge. They also said that they would start to launch their program in 65 cities worldwide by the end of this year.
In a blog post on Tuesday, September 8, Uber's chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said, "It's our responsibility as the largest mobility platform in the world to more aggressively tackle the challenge of climate change." Although Uber is not the first company to set this ambitious goal in transitioning to electric cars, they wanted to be the first one to make it a reality.
Contributors to Climate Change
Uber and its competitor, Lyft, were criticized by people for their role in their contribution to traffic and air pollution. According to research, these ride-hailing apps have replaced less polluting alternatives, such as taking public transport, biking, and walking.
While Uber only now announced its plan on going all-electric in 2040, Lyft has pledged in June to do it by 2030. However, Lyft has not outlined its support for their drivers, unlike Uber, many of which operates its own cars.
On Tuesday, Uber said that battery-electric cars have accounted for nearly 0.15% miles logged on their system in Canada and the US from 2017 to 2019. Added into that number are the hybrid vehicles, which make the mileage logged in the green cars five times the average of sales in the US.
Meanwhile, in London, where Uber has clashed with regulators, they had pledged that by 2025 all of their ride services would be switched to electric cars.
Uber to Introduce Electric Car Rid Services to Europe
Uber said on Tuesday, September 8, that the ride-sharing app is now working with car companies Nissan and Renault in an effort to expand to European cities beginning with France. At the same tie, Uber is working with General Motors for the US and Canada.
According to Uber, drivers will earn more per ride when using an electric car or hybrid vehicle. The company is still working on including more alternatives in their services.
Their move to switch to using electric cars have pleased climate change and environmental groups. William Todts, executive director of the campaign group Transport & Environment, said that Uber's commitment to rapidly enforce their fleet f electric cars in the cities within Europe.
It is now the time for mayors to show leadership as big cities in Europe need to introduce zero-emission zones, cycle-only corridors, and pop-up bicycle lanes. It is also their duty to provide easy access to charging outlets at home, at the workplace, and parking spaces.
Read More: 5 Reasons to Own an Electric Car
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