.jpg)
Uber unveils electric ride incentives, smart charging tools and cleaner delivery plans
Uber has announced a series of new features aimed at making electric travel and deliveries easier for riders, drivers, couriers and restaurants across its global platform.
The changes include emissions tracking for riders, airport incentives for electric vehicles, smart charging recommendations for drivers and technology designed to match journeys with a vehicle’s available battery range.
Uber said its new Rider Emission Savings feature will show users how much emissions they have avoided by selecting Uber Electric and Comfort Electric journeys. The information will be available through the Account section of the Uber app.
The company is also introducing its Green Curb airport programme, offering incentives for electric journeys. Riders choosing Uber Electric or Comfort Electric may receive lower fares and access to dedicated pickup areas, while drivers will be offered discounted or free access to fast chargers in selected airport waiting areas.
Uber is expanding its car-sharing operation, allowing users to borrow vehicles when required rather than owning one. The company said the product is intended to improve vehicle utilisation and support more liveable neighbourhoods.
Further expansion is planned for shared and electric transport services. UberX Share is being launched in 18 additional cities, taking the service to more than 50 cities worldwide. Bike bookings are also due to expand into Chile through Uber’s partnership with Tembici, while Uber Electric is launching in Australia and will become available in more than 140 cities globally.
Uber said it is committing $800 million in resources to support drivers moving to electric vehicles. It is developing smart charging tools that will assess charging prices, charging times and traffic conditions before recommending when and where drivers should charge.
The company is also working on Battery-Aware Matching, which will filter trip requests according to a driver’s battery level. The feature is intended to help drivers accept journeys that are compatible with their remaining range and finish near charging facilities where necessary.
Uber said its updated mapping algorithms have already helped drivers avoid 9,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 4.2 million litres of petrol, over a period of several months in North America. The algorithms take account of factors including elevation and the amount of stopping and starting at traffic lights, and are due to be expanded globally.
The company is extending its sustainability programme to Uber Eats, with a target of eliminating emissions from all Uber Eats deliveries worldwide by 2040. Uber also aims to remove unnecessary plastic waste from deliveries by 2030.
Uber said it will work with mobility and charging companies including Cooltra, Human Forest, Zoomo, Gogoro and Gachaco to support more car-free deliveries. It also plans to work with the World Wildlife Fund and other organisations on discounts, incentives and advocacy for restaurants and couriers.
In selected cities, Uber Eats customers will be able to use a new Green Packaging feature to identify restaurants using recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging. Uber said the feature will be expanded as more merchants adopt alternative packaging.
Uber said it will continue publishing annual carbon emissions data covering both rides and deliveries. The company added that its sustainability plans have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative.
