The company is preparing to make significant updates to its hospitality and delivery services in line with the increasing use of electric vehicles. These changes are being made specifically to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.
Uber is determined to switch to electric vehicles!
Uber Green, Uber’s service that includes electric and hybrid vehicles, will now only consist of electric vehicles in selected cities. According to the company’s statement, Uber Green is transforming into an all-electric vehicle service in 40 cities and regions.
Previously, both electric and hybrid vehicles were available, and drivers were paid an extra fee (usually $1) for each ride. However, now only battery-powered electric vehicles will be available on the service.
This move is seen as an extension of the company’s push for more drivers to use electric vehicles on its platform. Uber said that 189,000 drivers across the US, Canada and Europe currently use electric vehicles.
Among other measures Uber has taken to meet its environmental goals is the goal of becoming completely carbon neutral in North America and Europe by 2030 and globally by 2040. To this end, Uber, which last year partnered with Chinese automotive giant BYD, plans to make around 100,000 electric vehicles available to drivers in Europe and Latin America.
But many drivers are still skeptical about switching to electric vehicles. At this point, the company is adding a new GPT-4-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI to its driver app. This chatbot will answer drivers’ questions about which model vehicle they should buy, where to charge and range.
In addition to the chatbot, which is expected to go live in early 2025, the company’s electric vehicle drivers will support other drivers through a mentorship program. Under this program, mentors will receive cash rewards and various bonuses.