GMB pushes for Uber to extend new £5,000 electric vehicle driver grant to include drivers outside of London

The GMB union has expressed its support for Uber's latest measures to increase the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) among its drivers in London.

Eamon O’Hearn, GMB National Officer, highlighted the union’s endorsement of the shift towards a more sustainable transport network, stating that "real support for drivers during this transition is welcome".

O’Hearn further noted that while the union applauds the introduction of a £5,000 grant for drivers to purchase EVs, it has recommended that Uber offer this deal to all its UK drivers, not just those in the capital.

These comments followed Uber’s announcement aimed at accelerating the use of electric vehicles among its London-based drivers. Drivers in the capital who currently do not use an EV can apply for a £5,000 grant to help purchase a new or used electric vehicle.

This initiative is part of Uber’s broader strategy to transition to a fully electric fleet in London by the end of 2025. Currently, London is Uber’s leading city globally for EV usage, with 25% of all Uber miles in the city being electric. Despite this progress, Uber recognises the need for additional incentives to meet its ambitious goal of complete electrification within the next two years.

To encourage more drivers to switch to electric cars, Uber, in collaboration with various partners, has introduced several incentives:

• Power-up Grants: The £5,000 grants, funded by Uber’s Clean Air Plan, can be applied towards the cost of acquiring a new or used EV.

• Significant EV Discounts: Drivers can avail themselves of additional discounts ranging from £12,000 to £17,000 on selected EV models, including some from Kia’s award-winning range. Combined with the Power-up grant, drivers could see total savings of up to £22,000.

• Complimentary Charging: EV drivers will benefit from up to three months of free charging credits worth £750, followed by an exclusive charging rate via bp pulse.

• Expanded Charging Network: To support this transition, Redbridge Council will deploy 34 dual chargers (68 charge points) funded by Uber, as part of a £5 million investment to install 700 chargers across three London boroughs.

• Rider Promotions: To further promote the use of EVs, Londoners will receive a 10% discount on their first Uber Green trip, while drivers will earn an additional 10% per trip on Uber Green compared to UberX.

Eamon O’Hearn, GMB National Officer, said: “GMB supports greater use of electric vehicles as a positive step towards a more sustainable transport network.

“Real support for drivers during this transition is welcome.

“We’ve made some suggestions to Uber about different ways this support can be delivered - including offering the deal to all UK drivers, not just those in the capital.

“This is a positive step towards Uber meeting the electric vehicle targets.”