Uber is offering £5,000 grants to its London drivers in a bid to encourage them to make the switch to an electric vehicle (EV).
The move comes as the ride-hailing app looks to meet its commitment that all Uber vehicles in London will be fully electric by the end of 2025.
London is Uber’s leading city for EVs globally with 25% of its miles in the capital now fully electric, but the company is issuing new incentives to ensure it hits its 2025 target.
Drivers have the option of spending the grant on buying an EV or making weekly payments for rental or rent-to-buy agreements. The app is also offering discounts of £12,000 to £17,000 on selected EVs for its drivers.
The grant is being funded through the company’s Clean Air Plan. The plan has charged a ‘clean air fee’ on journeys, encouraging uptake of EVs, which has led to Uber building up a £145m fund to pay for the subsidies now being offered.
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Uber’s UK general manager, Andrew Brem, said: “Now is the time to speed up on electrification, not slow down.
“We cannot reach our collective zero-emission goals without continued action from policymakers and investment across the industry.
“Uber drivers can be the catalyst for accelerating electrification across the transport sector but collaboration will be crucial to combat air pollution and work towards a more sustainable future.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “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.
“I welcome this initiative, which will give drivers who need it a helping hand to switch their petrol or diesel vehicle for an electric one.”
Earlier this year, Uber launched a carbon footprint tracker for riders.
