Making sustainability the better choice
Written byFour years ago, we set an audacious goal: to transform Uber into a zero-emissions platform by 2040. While there’s still lots of work ahead, today that vision is picking up speed.
We’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars to go from a few hundred electric vehicles on the platform to more than 182,000 today. Uber drivers are adopting EVs five times faster than the average motorist in the US, Canada and Europe. In London, nearly 30% of all miles driven on Uber are now electric. And with Uber Green available in 200+ cities globally, riders can now choose a hybrid or electric ride with one tap.
It’s important progress, but we know it’s not enough. In order to help repair our planet, both the public and private sectors need to act with more urgency. And while we know the future is electric, getting there requires new ideas and constant innovation.
That’s why we’re rolling out new features and updates to accelerate electrification and make it easier than ever for drivers, consumers, and merchants to make a greener choice.
FOR CONSUMERS
All-Electric Uber Green ⚡: After launching Uber Green with hybrids and EVs around the world, we now have enough EV drivers on our platform to make it an EV-only option in 40+ cities globally. Riders will be able to choose an EV for about the same price as UberX.
EV Preference ✅: Love the EV experience but not the occasionally longer ETA? We’re introducing a new feature that allows riders to set their preference in the app and get matched with an EV anytime one is nearby. If the ETA is within a few minutes of a standard UberX, your EV ride will be on the way. Set it and forget it!
EV Pop-Ups 🚘: Get ready to ride electric – in style. We’re kicking off a series of premium EV pop-ups so riders can experience the world’s most innovative EVs on Uber. Riders in London will be able to give the striking Lotus Eletre a go. And in LA, Miami, and Dallas, they’ll be able to try out the adventure-ready Rivian R1.
Emission Savings Update 🌍: Our emission savings feature helps you choose greener options on Uber and track your contribution to the future of our planet. We’re updating this to now include your bike, scooter, and UberX Share rides. And soon, you’ll see the emissions you’ve avoided throughout your ride, all the way from the trip request to the lock screen.
Climate Collection 💚: We’re making it easier than ever to browse, buy, and get climate-conscious products on-demand with Uber. The Climate Collection is a curated selection of beloved brands such as Cuyana, Trashie, Credo Beauty, Avaline, L’Occitane, Stasher, Allbirds, Blueland, and more in the coming months.
Farmers Markets on Eats 🧑🌾: We’re bringing the farm straight to your door! Starting today in New York City and Los Angeles, you can order seasonal produce and fresh goods directly from your local farmers market on Uber Eats. Whether it’s the Union Square Grassman, Norwich Farms, or Gone Bananas Bread, supporting your local farmers market has never been easier.
FOR DRIVERS
AI Assistant 🤖: Going electric is a big decision, and drivers have lots of questions. That’s why we’re announcing an AI Assistant in the driver app – powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o– to help drivers get answers to every EV question under the sun. Coming soon!
EV Mentors 🙋: We also know that, as helpful as technology can be, sometimes nothing can replace talking to a real, live person. So we’re launching an EV mentorship program to connect experienced EV drivers with drivers who are EV-curious, allowing them to share their experiences and answer their questions.
Free Octopus chargers⚡: In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Octopus Energy and BYD will co-fund a bespoke charging bundle for 1,000 Uber drivers that delivers the cheapest charging available in the UK. The bundle includes free home chargers worth nearly £1000 each, the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff, and 8% off public charging with the award winning Octopus Electroverse network.
FOR MERCHANTS
Green Packaging Marketplace 🍛: Purchasing high-quality, sustainable packaging shouldn’t be complicated- it should be effortless. So we’re launching a marketplace with the aim of making greener packaging available to every Uber Eats restaurant in the world.
Paris Innovation Pilot 🇫🇷: We’re investing nearly $1 million to help restaurants in Paris adopt more sustainable packaging alternatives. By offering discounts through our Marketplace, we’re making it easier to try innovative options like Notpla’s seaweed-based packaging, Releaf’s leaf-made bags, and iamplasticfree’s straws made of agricultural sugar residuals.
Green Ambassadors 🌿: We’re awarding our top merchants with $50,000 to help fund their own sustainability initiatives and reach more customers. They’ll also serve as ‘packaging ambassadors’ for Uber Eats and share testimonials with other merchants to encourage them to make the switch. It’s about lifting up our most sustainable merchants on our platform so they can show others the way.
Finally, we’ve always said that climate is a team sport and we’ll never hit our zero emissions goals on our own. That’s why, in addition to these announcements, we’ve also joined The Earthshot Prize as a founding partner to work with the world’s most promising climate innovators.
Together, we’ll help scale the next generation of climate entrepreneurs that are tackling the barriers to electrification and sustainable delivery. And we’ll keep using our platform as a launchpad for new innovations that make sustainable choices easier, more affordable, and just plain better for all of us.