According to Uber, drivers in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver can now rent Tesla vehicles on a weekly basis.
The first Tesla fleet will become available this summer, part of Hertz’s plan to get 50,000 Tesla cars for Uber to rent by 2023.
“As we continue towards Uber’s zero-emissions goal, our partnership with Hertz reflects the largest expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) on a mobility platform in North America and one of the largest globally,” said the ride share company.
So far, over 15,000 drivers have participated in the Hertz-Tesla program in the U.S., with over 5 million electric trips completed, or 40 million miles driven. Uber says 95% of drivers renting a Tesla from Hertz was their first EV driven on the ride share platform. A survey showed 92% of drivers that rented a Tesla are considering purchasing an electric vehicle.
“Hertz is leading the way in electrification, shared mobility and a digital-first customer experience by offering the largest electric vehicle rental fleet in North America,” said Jeff Nieman, Hertz Senior Vice President, Operations Initiatives, in a statement. “Canada is the next frontier for our exclusive partnership with Uber, reaffirming our commitment to being an environmentally-forward company.”
A survey of Canadian Uber drivers discovered that 71% are interested in switching to an EV.
“Driver access to electric vehicles is an important part of Uber’s electrification goals,” said Michael van Hemmen, General Manager of Uber Canada Mobility, in a statement. “Even with high gas prices, switching to an EV is a big decision. This partnership gives drivers an opportunity to try an electric vehicle as their primary rideshare vehicle and understand the benefits and cost savings of going electric.”
Uber’s Zero Emissions incentive offers an extra $1 per electric trip on the platform for drivers.
At launch, drivers will need a minimum 4.85 star rating and have completed at least 150 trips to be eligible for a Hertz Tesla rental.
“Going green is truly a team sport and there is much more work to do. We look forward to continuing to partner with leaders across Canada to achieve our common goals together,” said Uber.
Last fall, Hertz agreed to purchase 100,000 Tesla Model 3 vehicles at full price. The company has since added the Model Y to its fleet and also plans to offer Polestar EVs as well.
