Uber, BYD and Octopus Energy create EV and energy bundle for drivers

Uber, BYD and Octopus Energy have created a bundle of services to help drivers to switch to electric vehicles.

The partnership was announced at Uber’s annual climate event, Go Get Zero.

It will see Octopus Energy install up to 1,000 free home chargers for Uber drivers in the UK who order any BYD car and sign up to the UK EV specialist tariff - Intelligent Octopus Go. 

When taking into account the savings on charging and the free charger, Octopus Energy is estimating that it is up to 10 times cheaper for Uber drivers to charge an EV than to fuel a petrol car. 

Participating Uber drivers will also benefit from an 8% discount on Octopus Electroverse - Octopus’ one card, one app charging service that has access to more than 850,000 chargers around the world.

All participating drivers need to engage directly with Octopus Energy to take advantage of the new co-operation between the three brands.

The energy provider will handle charger delivery and tariff enrollment.

Uber will contact all existing UK drivers with details of how to sign up for the BYD and charger bundle ahead of the scheme's launch on November 1. 

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber chief executive, said: "There are now over 180,000 EVs on Uber and drivers are going electric five times faster than the average motorist, but there’s much more to do. 

“The new features and partnerships being announced are designed to accelerate electrification and make sustainable choices easier for drivers, consumers, and merchants.

“Climate is a team sport and we all must double down on this work together.”

BYD struck a multi-market fleet deal with Uber in August that aims to bring 100,000 of its electric vehicles (EVs) on to the ride hailing platform.

The two companies will also collaborate on future BYD autonomous-capable vehicles to be deployed on the Uber platform.