Uber grant and EV discounts launched for drivers to make the switch

Uber is offering drivers a £5,000 grant – plus additional discounts of up to £17,000 – to make the switch to an electric vehicle (EV).

The grants are part of a £145 million fund for its London drivers to help make the transition cheaper, faster and more efficient.

London is already Uber’s leading city for EVs globally with 25% of Uber’s miles in the capital now fully electric. However, the ride hailing company says more incentives are needed for Uber to meet its target of being all-electric in London by the end of 2025. 

Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber in the UK, said: “Now is the time to speed up on electrification, not slow down.

“We cannot reach our collective zero-emission goals without continued action from policymakers and investment across the industry.

“Uber drivers can be the catalyst for accelerating electrification across the transport sector but collaboration will be crucial to combat air pollution and work towards a more sustainable future.”

The package being offered to its London drivers from tomorrow (Tuesday, May 21), includes the £5,000 grant offered through Uber’s Clean Air Plan and additional discounts of between £12,000 and £17,000 available on select models – giving drivers up to £22,000 off an EV if combined with the 'Power-up' grant. 

All EV drivers will also be eligible for up to three months of free charging credits worth £750 and an exclusive charging rate through BP Pulse.

Furthermore, Redbridge Council in London is rolling out 34 dual chargers (68 charge points) funded by Uber, part of a £5 investment from Uber to install 700 chargers across three London boroughs. 

Drivers can spend their grant cash as a lump-sum on a purchase, or on a rental or rent-to-buy deal – through which drivers make weekly payments.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “I am determined to achieve my mission to make London a net zero city by 2030, and the electrification of our buses and cars is absolutely key to this.

“I welcome this initiative which will give drivers who need it a helping hand to switch their petrol or diesel vehicle for an electric one. Schemes like this are helping us to build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”

New data, released today by Uber shows that the proportion of EV trips by Uber drivers in the Congestion Charge zone more than doubles when the zone is active, avoiding the £15 charge through an EV exemption.

Steve Hicks, sales director at Kia UK, said: “We are thrilled to put our global memorandum of understanding with Uber into practice here in the UK, by supporting the company’s Clean Air Plan in London with the supply of award-winning electric vehicles.

“Combining Uber’s climate positive target with Kia’s advanced products will accelerate the improvement of London’s air quality and ensure drivers and riders alike will enjoy each journey, with industry leading range capabilities and customer centric practicality and convenience features.”

Akira Kirton, vice president of BP Pulse UK, said: “BP Pulse has partnered with Uber since 2021 on their mission to a ‘zero car emissions future in London by 2025’. bp pulse helps drivers transition to electric through access to our growing number of rapid and ultra-fast charging hubs and keeping their costs down through free bp pulse subscriptions and exclusive charging rates.

“These will continue and complement the free charging offer announced today – funded by Uber.”

In recent years Uber has struck deals with BP Pulse to reduce charging costs and secured a range of discounts from leading automakers. 

Earlier this year Uber also launched a new in-app feature that allows riders to see all of the emissions they’ve saved by taking Uber Green, alongside their usual Uber rating – encouraging riders to continue choosing zero-emissions options. 

Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities, said: “This is an admirable step from Uber who are clearly doubling down on their commitment to fully electrify their rides in London.

“The additional funds and infrastructure for drivers should inspire even greater collaboration amongst policymakers, industry and civil society, so that electric vehicles and pedal power become an integral part of everyday life in the capital.

“Uber’s announcement is a testament to London’s policies over the past few years and we now need to understand how these will evolve in the context of the Mayor’s ambition for a net zero carbon city by 2030.

“This is a crucial time for the Mayor to continue his leadership and to support high mileage drivers switching to electric and pedal power, including taxis, private hire and commercial vehicles.”

Uber launched its Clean Air Plan in 2019, building up a fund of £145m between 2019 and 2022 to help drivers transition to EV.