In a savvy move to increase the use of this new feature, it’s also enabling its business customers to view a breakdown of their lower-emissions travel on their personalised dashboard – a handy option that can then be used within their own enterprise’s climate action goals.
Growing change
The aim is to have Uber Green available throughout Australia, but the company knows that’s a long game. It can, after all, only use the EVs driven by driver-partners. But that in itself is something Uber is working to change, echoing the Federal Government’s ambitions.
Currently, it counts over 2,000 EVs in its fleet, and it’s pulling out all the stops to encourage more of the public to make the change to these types of vehicles, and grow that figure exponentially.
For instance, in June last year it pledged $30 million to promote EV usage including offering drivers a 50 per cent cut on service fees if they bring a battery-powered car to the platform.
Since making that announcement, the company has already seen a marked increase in EVs as part of their offering to users. “We know this approach is producing results,” Brito says.
Uber is offering drivers a 50 per cent cut on service fees if they bring a battery-powered car to the platform.Credit: iStock
Charging forward
There’s still a way to go before we catch up to Europe (Uber is forecasting that 100 per cent of its fleet in London will be electric by the end of 2025), but this offer, plus a global agreement with BP’s electric car charging division, BP Pulse, that endeavours to see a significant increase in charging points at their retail outlets worldwide, is all part of push to bring all its markets in line with its net-zero strategy.
This again shows Uber’s aims aligning with those of the federal government. With the launch of NEVS, Minister Bowen also announced a separate focus on creating a national electric charging network, with $39.3 million allocated to that alone.
A greener horizon
Change is already happening. Prior to the launch of Uber Green, Uber in Australia had notched up close to two million zero-emissions trips, so the demand, and the potential, is there.
And while the cost of such vehicles may be a barrier to many at present, with a united push to get EVs front and centre, the road ahead could be much, much less smoggy, as Uber Green becomes as synonymous with getting from A to B as the company’s original offering has done.
“Uber is committed to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in Australia,” says Brito.
“Together we can create a more sustainable transport future.”
