Uber is ramping up its efforts to become a zero-emissions platform by 2040 with a series of new features and updates aimed at making greener choices easier for riders, drivers, and merchants. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi outlined the company’s progress and future plans, highlighting how Uber is speeding up its transition to electric vehicles (EVs) while also supporting sustainability initiatives for businesses.
Uber Green, which originally included both hybrid and electric vehicles, is expanding to an all-electric option in over 40 cities worldwide. Riders will be able to choose an EV ride for about the same price as UberX. To make EVs more accessible, a new “EV Preference” feature will let riders select EVs as their default choice. If the estimated arrival time is close to that of a regular UberX, they’ll be matched with an electric car.
For those who want to experience EVs firsthand, Uber is rolling out premium EV pop-ups, allowing riders in cities like London, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas to test out high-end models such as the Lotus Eletre and Rivian R1.
Uber is also updating its emission savings feature, so riders can see how their bike, scooter, or shared rides contribute to reducing emissions, tracking these savings from the start of the trip all the way to the lock screen.
To help drivers transition to electric vehicles, Uber will soon introduce an AI Assistant in its driver app, which is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4. The assistant will provide instant answers to drivers’ questions about EVs, making the switch easier.
The company is also launching an EV mentorship program, connecting new EV drivers with experienced ones who can offer guidance and share their personal experiences.
In the UK, a new partnership with Octopus Energy and BYD will provide 1,000 drivers with free home chargers (worth nearly £1,000 each) and access to discounted public charging, making it more affordable for drivers to charge their vehicles.
Uber Eats is getting a sustainable makeover as well. A new Green Packaging Marketplace will make it easier for restaurants to find high-quality, eco-friendly packaging options. In Paris, Uber is investing nearly $1 million to help restaurants switch to sustainable packaging alternatives such as seaweed-based bags and compostable straws.
Additionally, Uber is launching a Green Ambassadors Program, where top sustainable merchants on Uber Eats will receive $50,000 to fund their own eco-friendly projects. These merchants will also serve as “packaging ambassadors” to encourage other businesses to adopt greener practices.
Khosrowshahi emphasized that the path to zero emissions requires collaboration and constant innovation, adding, “Climate is a team sport, and we’ll never hit our zero emissions goals on our own.”
