Hyundai to provide discounted EVs to Uber drivers

Hyundai has entered a strategic partnership with Uber to provide its drivers with discounted access to electric Kona and Ioniq models across Europe.

The two companies hope the new agreement will help to increase the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and kickstart the expansion of charging infrastructure in major European cities.

Anabel Diaz, regional manager for EMEA at Uber, said: “With our responsibilities to drivers, riders and cities in mind, we have made a series of ambitious commitments to support drivers switch to electric vehicles, and this partnership will enable us to continue this momentum. Professional drivers such as those on the Uber app will be the early mass adopters of electric vehicles, which will help to drive the mass market in the years to come.”

Uber plans to become a zero-emission mobility platform by 2030 and, by 2025, it expects 50% of the total aggregated miles of Uber rides across seven European capitals will be driven by electric vehicles.

These cities (Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Lisbon, London, Madrid, and Paris) will make up 80% of Uber’s European business by the end of 2021. As part of this pledge, customers will be able to select the option of riding in a zero-emission vehicle when booking their trip.

“Through this exciting partnership, we will utilise our leadership in electro-mobility to help Uber’s partner drivers make the switch to BEVs and help electrify their customers’ journeys in Europe,” added Michael Cole, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe. “This agreement also gives Hyundai the opportunity to showcase the benefits of our Ioniq Electric and Kona Electric models to an even wider range of people, as well as contribute to decarbonisation efforts in major cities across Europe.”

The two companies will explore how working together can accelerate the adoption of Hyundai EVs and electric vehicle infrastructure in European cities. Partner drivers on the Uber App will be offered access to the Ioniq Electric and Kona Electric, as well as future EVs from Hyundai.

In the future, Hyundai and Uber intend to launch joint marketing and education plans to promote electric cars and their associated benefits to Uber’s partner drivers, as well as to offer test drives to allow drivers to experience zero-emissions vehicles first-hand.