Uber and bp Team Up for EV Charging
Uber Technologies Inc
bp and Uber revealed a new global mobility partnership to facilitate Uber's plan to achieve a zero-tailpipe emissions transportation platform in the United States, Canada, and Europe by 2030 and globally by 2040.
This unique agreement marks the first-ever partnership between a ride-hailing service and an integrated energy company.
The partnership will leverage the companies' global presence to support drivers' transition to electric vehicles by offering access to dependable and convenient charging, including ultra-fast charging.
Uber's goal is to have all rides on its platform powered by electric vehicles, micromobility, or public transit by 2040, while bp aims to achieve net-zero status by 2050 or earlier and help the world reach net-zero emissions.
Initially, Uber and bp will concentrate their efforts on key markets such as the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom to aid Uber in achieving its 2030 targets. Other countries, including Australia and New Zealand, will follow suit.
The two companies' regional teams will collaborate to offer customised access to bp pulse's high-speed charging network to drivers on Uber's platform, complete with special promotions.
Richard Bartlett, CEO of bp pulse, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that Uber's drivers require affordable and accessible access to the fast, reliable charging infrastructure bp is developing as they transition to electric vehicles. The company is investing billions of dollars in high-speed EV charging, digital products and services, and large-scale bp pulse Gigahubs™ to enable commercial customers to eliminate tailpipe emissions.
He also expressed delight at the global agreement that builds on the companies' existing relationship and supports Uber in realising its ambitious goal of a zero-emissions transportation platform by 2040.
Uber and bp pulse's strategic partnership dates back to 2021, when bp launched its first commercial rapid charging hub on Park Lane in London. Uber was bp's first ride-hailing platform partner customer to gain access to the new hub, which offers charging points to Uber drivers.
London is Uber's top market for electrification, with more than 15% of Uber rides in London now powered by electric vehicles. In Europe, Uber drivers are transitioning to EVs at a rate five times faster than the general population, and the company aims to have a 100% electric fleet in London by the end of 2025.
Christopher Hook, Uber's Global Head of Sustainability, emphasised the importance of partnerships like the one with bp pulse in achieving Uber's goal of becoming the world's cleanest mobility platform.
While Uber is committed to transitioning to a 100% electric fleet, Hook noted that achieving this target requires collaborative efforts, especially given the challenges associated with providing drivers with easy access to affordable charging infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the partnership with bp pulse will help Uber overcome these challenges and move closer to its zero-emissions objective.
bp pulse operates in ten countries and boasts a global network of 22,000 charging points. The company is investing heavily in EV infrastructure, installing hundreds of new charge points every week, with a target of reaching over 100,000 charge points worldwide by 2030.
This investment aims to address the concerns of ride-hailing drivers, who need reliable and convenient charging infrastructure to switch to electric vehicles with confidence. A recent survey of 16,000 drivers on the Uber platform identified access to such infrastructure as one of the main barriers to EV adoption.
The collaboration between Uber and bp pulse is part of Uber's broader efforts to support drivers' transition to electric vehicles. These efforts include the integration of a Charging Map feature into the Driver app to help drivers locate the nearest EV charging stations, as well as the introduction of an EV Hub within the Uber Driver app, a comprehensive resource where drivers can compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) between EVs and non-EVs.
As per the agreement, bp and Uber plan to offer customised deals to drivers on the Uber platform that suit each market, including incentives to charge their vehicles with bp pulse. They also aim to collaborate on fuel and convenience offers. With a worldwide network of nearly 21,000 retail sites, bp offers fuel, food, and other amenities at its branded locations in partnership with retail partners.
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Source: Uber
