Why Uber’s CEO Wants You in an Electric Car (It’s Not Just About the Environment)

Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has a plan (no, it doesn’t involve self-driving flying cars) at least not yet. As Uber gears up to announce its Q3 results on October 31st (spooky timing, right?), Khosrowshahi rolled out a sustainability update that could change how you hail a ride. 

Starting soon, you’ll have the option to select an “EV preference,” which means you can request an all-electric vehicle as your default ride. In other words, Uber is betting that your next ride will be just as eco-friendly as your reusable water bottle (you do have one, right?).

Now, before you start worrying about waiting 15 minutes for that fancy electric car to pull up, Khosrowshahi has got you covered. He casually mentioned that your wait time might increase by just a few minutes, but come on, what’s a couple of extra minutes when you’re saving the planet? “A couple of minutes isn’t going to kill anyone,” he said, basically daring you to complain about your minor inconvenience while Earth gets a little less crispy.

(Source: Politico)

Uber’s going all in on sustainability. The company’s ultimate goal? A fleet entirely made up of zero-emission vehicles by 2040. That means that if you’re still cruising in a gas powered car by then, Uber probably won’t let you drive.

In a bold move that’s sure to spark debate (and maybe a few trade tensions), Khosrowshahi is looking east, turning to China for some much-needed reinforcements. 

Yep, Chinese electric vehicles from companies like BYD are a key part of Uber’s green future. Khosrowshahi recently told the BBC that Chinese EVs are not only “high-quality” but also “good for the environment.” So while some governments are busy slapping tariffs on Chinese imports to protect their local industries, Khosrowshahi is focused on keeping rides affordable and eco-friendly, even if that means embracing cars made in China. He didn’t mince words about it, either: “Tariffs on Chinese EVs are negative for the planet.”

Uber has already partnered with BYD, one of Tesla’s biggest rivals in the EV space, offering discounts to Uber drivers for 100,000 BYD cars. Because if there’s one thing that Uber knows, it’s that we’re all suckers for discounts.

But does the money talk? I think you’ll agree it does. Uber’s throwing serious cash at the problem, with a reported $800 million already invested to convince its drivers to switch to electric vehicles. They’re even sweetening the deal with incentives like discounted charging, partnerships for lower electricity rates (thank you, Octopus Energy), and access to home chargers for drivers in the UK. Uber also rolled out an “EV Mentor” program (basically a support group for drivers curious about going electric) powered by everyone’s favorite chatbot, ChatGPT. Because, really, what can’t AI do at this point?

But let’s not forget the bigger picture here. Transportation accounts for a staggering 25% of carbon emissions globally. With Uber contributing its fair share of traffic jams and smog, going electric is no small pivot. In fact, the company is dead serious about its goal of becoming a “zero-emissions platform” by 2040. Ambitious? Sure. But is it necessary? Absolutely.

So whether or not you’re a fan of Chinese-made EVs, one thing’s for certain: the next time you hail an Uber, you might just be helping save the planet… one electric ride at a time. Now, let’s hope that the Halloween Q3 earnings report doesn’t come back to haunt them.

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Stock.News has positions in Uber.