Uber is struggling to live up to its pledge to electrify 50% of its rides in major European cities, according to new figures…
Uber Falling Behind Schedule
Back in September 2020, ride-hailing giant Uber pledged to provide its drivers with increasing numbers of EVs; rendering 50% of its rides emission-free by 2025. However, new figures have revealed that the company is failing to deliver. According to environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E), just 5% of kilometres driven are in all-electric vehicles.
Uber is performing better in some cities than in others. For instance, Amsterdam, Lisbon and London have the highest rates of rides in EVs – between 6 – 9%. However, this is largely a product of these cities introducing ultra-low emission zones and electrification mandates. In Berlin, Brussels, Madrid and Paris the figures are lower; suggesting that the progress Uber has made is largely a product of external factors.
Corporate Pledges Insufficient?
According to T&E, Uber’s lacklustre progress is evidence of the fact that corporate pledges are insufficient in achieving climate action; government support is required, too. Saul Lopez, electric fleets programme manager at T&E commented on the situation. He said, “over a year after its big electric pledge, Uber’s progress looks bleak. This should serve as a lesson to leaders meeting in Glasgow. Corporate pledges are no substitute for governments at all levels taking measures to defend their citizens’ health and the climate”.
The NGO has also critiqued Uber’s pledge itself. For instance, the target is aggregated across select European cities. This means some cities could see their rides significantly electrified, with others remaining bereft of EVs. T&E has called on governments to mandate that all high-mileage fleets active in urban areas adopt larger numbers of EVs by 2025.
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