UBER made a very interesting announcement, saying that after we reach the planet Mars, the company will be able to boast that it is a platform with zero emissions, or at least that is understood from the bold objective that would be achieved in .... 2040.
"Bucharest (September 8, 2020) - Uber is committed to becoming a zero-emission mobility platform by 2040, in 10.000 cities and six continents, with all trips to be made in zero-emission vehicles, public transport and services of micro-mobility.
European markets are breaking new ground in the electrification of the ride-hailing industry. By 2025, 50% of all kilometers traveled in seven European capitals (Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Lisbon, London, Madrid and Paris) will be in zero-emission vehicles. This will be possible, in part, thanks to the funds that Uber is making available to hundreds of thousands of drivers in Europe, the United States and Canada, amounting to 800 million dollars. With the help of these funds, drivers will be able to make the transition to zero-emission cars.
Uber will continue to expand its Uber Green service in Europe, through which users can travel in low-emission cars for a small additional fee. By the end of 2021, Uber Green will be available in 37 cities, including London and Barcelona, from the 60 cities where the service is currently available. Thus, users will be able to choose a journey with zero emissions in the cities that represent 80% of Uber's European business.
In Romania, Uber Green has been available since February 2018. Those who choose to travel using this service can order 100% electric cars for which they wait, on average, 8 minutes. So far, more than 225.000 passengers have chosen to ride with Uber in an electric car. In total, they traveled a distance of almost 3.000.000 km. Another step taken by the company to offer new micro-mobility options was the integration of Lime electric scooters into the Uber platform. Starting from July of this year, Bucharest residents have the opportunity to rent a Lime scooter through the Uber application, thus having more options for sustainable and affordable transport.
Nicoleta Diaconu, Uber Romania Country Manager, states: "As the largest mobility platform in Europe, we have an important role to play in combating climate change and supporting the green recovery. Taking into account the responsibilities we have towards drivers, users and the cities where we are present, we have taken on some ambitious goals by which we want to accelerate the electrification of our platform. With the implementation of the strategy to become, by 2040, a zero-emission mobility platform, European countries like Romania will be leaders of change in the next five years."
William Todts, CEO, Transport and Environment (T&E), says: “People across Europe are fed up with pollution and congestion. Electric and shared mobility is the solution to these problems. And the best starting point is long-distance drivers, who will be the first to benefit from electric cars. Uber's commitment to make the transition to an electric fleet in Europe's biggest cities as soon as possible is good news. It is time for Europe's big cities to become an example. All this must create zero-emission zones, new tracks and dedicated cycle corridors. At the same time, they must ensure that there are charging centers that residents can easily access at home, at work or wherever they park.”
In addition, to make the transition to zero-emission vehicles easier for drivers, Uber has entered into a number of industry-first partnerships. For example, the company signed a strategic partnership with Renault-Nissan to provide drivers in several European countries, who use the Uber application, access to electric cars at a convenient price. In the UK, Uber and BP have signed an agreement giving London drivers access to dedicated charging hubs, and in France, the partnership with EDF will provide new fast charging infrastructure, as well as discounts for charging facilities that can be used at home. In Romania, Uber has partnered with Volkswagen to help drivers access discounts for purchasing electric cars.
Uber has also published a new report on how Europe's ride-hailing market can accelerate fleet electrification. 'SPARK! Partnering to electrify in Europe' looks at the challenges that commercial long-haul drivers face in relation to electrification – particularly when it comes to vehicle power and accessibility – and how Uber, car manufacturers, companies that make charging stations, countries and policy makers within them can work together to overcome them. More details about the report 'SPARK! Partnering to electrify in Europe' are available at uber.com/spark
Nicoleta Diaconu, Uber Romania Country Manager, added: "We strongly believe that if private and state institutions work together to create the necessary conditions, in the next 5 years the ride-hailing industry can be equipped with electric vehicles in all European cities important. This could act as a catalyst for change and lead to a wider transition to zero-emission vehicles throughout Romania."
