Uber Australia is following through on its commitment to be totally carbon emissions-free by 2040. It announced this week it is importing 10,000 electric cars from BYD and will make them available to its Uber and Uber Eats drivers on attractive terms. The company says its research indicates electric cars are now less expensive to own and operate than conventional gasoline powered cars.
“Two-thirds of drivers have told us they want to make the switch to electric cars, but the number one barrier to doing so is the upfront cost of the car,” said Taylor. “Through our new partnership with EVDirect, we are addressing that challenge head on. Our goal is to provide drivers and delivery people a range of flexible options that make it easier than ever to get behind the wheel of an EV.”
One of the financing options EVDirect offers lets drivers rent a vehicle for one year and then return it to EVDirect, who will take it back and sell it second-hand. “We’re going to see a huge number of vehicles repurposed and come onto the second-hand ,” Todd said. That portal gives companies the ability to view carbon emissions data, and view and report on how frequently employees use low emission trips. That data can help corporations reduce ground transportation emissions. Uber for Business customers can also access metrics such as total carbon emissions and the percentage of corporate travel trips taken on eco-friendly alternatives, including Comfort Electric and Uber Green.