Uber's Ambitious Push Towards an All-Electric Fleet in London

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Uber is offering its London drivers a substantial financial incentive to switch to electric vehicles (EVs), providing grants and discounts totalling up to £22,000. This initiative is part of a £145 million fund aimed at making the transition to EVs more affordable and efficient for drivers.

As of now, London is Uber’s leading city for EV adoption globally, with 25% of Uber’s miles in the capital being fully electric. Despite this progress, Uber believes more incentives are needed to meet its ambitious target of having an all-electric fleet in London by the end of 2025. Andrew Brem, Uber’s UK general manager, emphasised the urgency of accelerating the shift to electric vehicles, calling for continued action from policymakers and industry investment to reach zero-emission goals.

Starting May 21, Uber’s London drivers will have access to a comprehensive package of incentives. This includes a £5,000 grant from Uber’s Clean Air Plan and additional discounts of up to £17,000 on select EV models. Combined, these offers can provide drivers with up to £22,000 off the cost of a new EV. Additionally, all EV drivers will be eligible for up to three months of free charging credits worth £750 and an exclusive charging rate through BP Pulse

To further support the transition, Uber is also investing in charging infrastructure. Redbridge Council in London will see the rollout of 34 dual chargers (68 charge points), funded by Uber. This is part of a larger £5 million investment to install 700 chargers across three London boroughs. Drivers can use their grant money as a lump sum for a vehicle purchase or through a rental or rent-to-buy scheme, where they make weekly payments.

London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, praised the initiative, highlighting its alignment with his goal to make London a net zero city by 2030. "I am determined to achieve my mission to make London a net zero city by 2030, and the electrification of our buses and cars is absolutely key to this," said Khan. "Schemes like this are helping us to build a fairer, greener London for everyone."

New data released by Uber indicates that the proportion of EV trips in London’s Congestion Charge zone more than doubles when the zone is active, as drivers seek to avoid the £15 charge by using EVs, which are exempt. This data underscores the potential of financial incentives to drive significant behavioural changes among drivers.

The initiative has garnered support from various stakeholders. Steve Hicks, sales director at Kia UK, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that Kia’s electric vehicles would play a crucial role in improving London’s air quality. Akira Kirton, vice president of BP Pulse UK, highlighted BP Pulse’s ongoing partnership with Uber since 2021, aimed at facilitating the transition to EVs through access to rapid and ultra-fast charging hubs and cost-saving measures for drivers.

Uber has been proactive in reducing the cost of EV adoption for its drivers. The company has partnered with BP Pulse to lower charging costs and secured a range of discounts from leading automakers. Earlier this year, Uber also introduced a new in-app feature that allows riders to see the emissions they’ve saved by choosing Uber Green, encouraging more environmentally friendly choices.

Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities, lauded Uber’s efforts, noting that the additional funds and infrastructure should inspire greater collaboration among policymakers, industry, and civil society. He emphasised the need for continued leadership from the Mayor to support high mileage drivers in making the switch to electric and pedal power.

Uber’s Clean Air Plan, launched in 2019, has accumulated a £145 million fund to assist drivers in transitioning to EVs. This ambitious push towards electrification demonstrates Uber’s commitment to a sustainable future and sets a significant precedent for the ride-hailing industry and urban mobility. As London moves towards its 2025 and 2030 environmental goals, Uber’s initiative could play a pivotal role in achieving a cleaner, greener city.

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