Uber is collaborating with Tesla to encourage its drivers in the United States to switch to electric vehicles (EVs), aiming for zero emissions in U.S. and Canadian cities by 2030.
This initiative includes exclusive incentives for Uber drivers to purchase Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y, in addition to existing federal tax credits.
“We know from listening to Uber drivers that the cost of ownership and access to convenient charging are the top two barriers preventing them from going electric, and we are … (working with) Tesla to tackle both of these issues,” said Andrew Macdonald, senior vice president of mobility and business operations at Uber, to Reuters.
Under this program, Uber drivers can use a referral code to buy vehicles directly from Tesla’s factory or its available inventory. To qualify for the incentives, drivers must purchase the vehicle by March 31 and complete 100 trips by May 15.
Uber is also hosting test drive events at Tesla stores to facilitate this transition. The company has started collaborating with Tesla in New York City to identify where drivers most need charging infrastructure, focusing on areas with high trip frequencies.
As of last year, Uber reported having 74,000 active EV drivers across the United States, Canada, and Europe, indicating a growing shift towards sustainable transportation options.
