Uber has rebranded its “Uber Green” service to “Uber Electric” in the US, as part of its push to expand EV rides.
The company said it now has over 200,000 EV drivers globally and is introducing new incentives and features for riders and drivers.
Drivers in New York City, California, Colorado, and Massachusetts can apply for a US$4,000 grant to switch to an EV.
Those across the US can also get US$1,000 toward an EV purchase through TrueCar.
Uber is expanding its battery-aware matching feature to 25 countries in Europe, Canada, and the US, now supporting vehicles from Kia, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz.
🔗 Source: Uber
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
Uber’s $4,000 EV grant lacks transparency on key program details
- Uber rolled out a $4,000 Go Electric grant for drivers moving to new or used EVs in New York City plus the states of California, Colorado, and Massachusetts. It has not shared the budget, state caps, or eligibility rules like minimum tenure or trip totals 1.
- Lease eligibility, application windows and timelines are unclear, which makes it hard to tell if this is a real push for EV uptake or a narrow marketing play 1.
- The amount aligns with the now expired federal tax credit for used EVs. Uber had said it would not pay drivers to switch, so this pivot implies the loss of that incentive is a hurdle 2.
Airport fast-charging procurement creates near-term opportunities for infrastructure developers
- San Francisco International Airport issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a direct current (DC) fast-charging hub lease, with proposals due January 29, 2025 34. Philadelphia International Airport is taking bids for four DC fast chargers with a budget between $500,000 and $2 million 34.
- These solicitations match rising demand from app-based ride-hailing drivers (e.g., Uber) who need fast charging at pickup zones, since many lack home charging 5.
- Charging infrastructure developers can work with site hosts (property owners or operators that host charging stations) to pursue municipal RFPs or underserved airport nodes, with National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding covering up to 80% of eligible costs and some models hitting payback inside 10 years 5.
Recent Uber developments
