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Uber to roll-out new incentives that help PCO drivers go electric
Switching to EV makes more sense than ever because Uber is launching a batch of green ideas.
It’s always nice to have your voice heard – and that is definitely the case with Uber and electric cars. Uber knows that many drivers are cautious about running an EV because this feels more complex than fuel. For example, you must plan when to charge the battery and it takes longer than buying petrol.
The good news is that Uber will launch a range of financial incentives and new tools in its app that make it a no-brainer to swap. This post will introduce these and explain what they mean for the Uber driver in Greater London.
First, let’s celebrate the fact that London is the most successful city in the world for electric PCO driving.
There are already 10,000 EVs working with Uber in London alone and these make up around one in five PCO miles driven in the capital. Electric is the clear direction of travel and the pace is accelerating. The Uber Clean Air Plan was just the start of this ride.
Read more: What are the different types of EV chargers?
Uber Heathrow Green Curb
The rules are about to change for PCO drivers at airports around the world – and that includes London Heathrow. This is because Uber has created new perks for EV drivers, which are called Green Curb.
You will see signs that encourage passengers to book ‘Uber Green’ at pick-up zones in the best locations at the airport. The reality is that riders are increasingly likely to choose Uber Green or Uber Comfort Electric because it makes their pick-up easier. Uber users also get a new 10% discount on their fares. Drivers on Uber already earn 10% extra when taking Uber Green trips, so incentivising the passengers with affordable rides at airports will benefit EV drivers even more.
Read more: What is the Heathrow Airport drop-off charge?
Smart-charging tools in the Uber app
The Uber app will soon be able to live-monitor the amount of charge left in the battery of your electric car (once you give permission). For starters, it will reveal the location and cost of nearby charging points.
It also enables Uber to automatically suggest the ideal time and place to top-up your car’s battery. The tool can plan the trip so you end up near a convenient place to charge when it’s time to take a break. That will help EV drivers to organise their working day and earn more money. This feels like a win-win.
The new tool can also filter-out trips that you might not have enough battery power to complete without stopping to recharge the electric vehicle. This is helpful because it means drivers will no longer even see jobs that might be on the edge of what is realistic for the battery. It avoids temptation and helps make things simpler.
Eco-friendly routes are the way forward
There is often more than one route to the rider’s destination. At the moment, the Uber app chooses the one that involves the least time and distance. However, it will soon calculate the amount of energy that each route option would consume – and then make this a priority as well. For example, by avoiding steep hills or using roads that keep the PCO car moving at a more efficient speed.
The app will also display the environmental benefit (i.e. carbon emissions saved) of taking these eco-friendly routes to both the driver and the rider. This is great news as every green ride is good for the planet and saves the driver money too.
UberEats to stop all plastic packaging
Many Uber drivers top-up their earnings by doing extra work with UberEats. This is why it’s exciting to know that Uber has said it will end all unnecessary plastic waste from its food deliveries by 2030. To achieve this, Uber Eats will partner with the World Wildlife Fund and others to support restaurants or couriers with new discounts and incentives for sustainable packaging.
You already know that Uber intends to switch every PCO driver over to an electric vehicle by 2025. These announcements show how it will achieve this, with juicy carrots as well as the threat of a big stick. Each green ride helps to move this idea forwards.
Given that more Uber riders want to travel in an electric vehicle and they will receive new fare-discounts to do so, the future has never been more clearly signposted for Uber drivers. It’s time to get serious about Uber Green.
Whether you are looking for a simple PCO Car Hire or ready for a Rent 2 Buy + ownership plan, Otto Car can help you to go electric. Or if you’re not too sure about the plans, read our article here to find out which plan works better for you.
To talk about how to switch over to an EV, or simply ask more questions about your options, feel free to pop into any Otto Hub. We are here to help you make the change. Come and join the family.
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