Londoners getting an Uber more likely to get picked up by a Tesla car
Drivers can now use clean air funds to buy or lease a Tesla at discounted rates
Londoners are more likely to get picked up by a Tesla car as Uber has secured a partnership with the US manufacturer.
Uber drivers in London will be able to use clean air funds to buy or lease a Tesla car at discounted rates, starting today (3rd November).
Drivers could already use the money to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) made by other manufacturers such as Nissan, Hyundai and Kia.
Uber has raised more than £135 million through adding a clean air fee for all trips in London since January 2019.
Funds have built up for each driver depending on how many miles they have clocked up.
An Uber spokesman said a typical driver has around £3,500 to £4,000 available to put towards getting an EV.
The company has committed that all its vehicles in London will be fully electric by 2025.
'Greater earning potential' when driving an electric car
Over 4,000 drivers have already switched to an EV and more than 90% of new vehicles joining the app are electric.
Jamie Heywood, Uber's general manager for northern and eastern Europe, said: "Uber drivers are switching to electric vehicles at a much faster rate than the mass market, thanks to the lower running costs and greater earning potential of driving in an EV.
Since March, passengers in central London have been able to request a fully electric car for their trip.
Fares for getting the Uber Green option match those for trips by other vehicles.
However, drivers are charged a reduced service fee, earning more per trip in a EV.
Mr Heywood added: "The launch of Uber Green this year means that drivers earn more per trip in an EV, so there has never been a better time to make the switch.
"There is still a lot of work to do to drive a green recovery and clean up urban transport, but the progress we are seeing in London is significant and as a city, we are leading the way globally."