Uber Extends Comfort Electric To 14 Additional Markets In US, Canada

Uber is expanding Comfort Electric, its premium electric car option, to 14 additional locations in the United States and Canada.

The ability to schedule a dazzling, green ride is now available to consumers in 40 different North American regions.

Tesla models S, 3, X, and Y, Polestar 2, Mustang Mach-E, Audi e-Tron, Porsche Taycan, and Hyundai Ioniq are among the luxury EVs that qualify.

The expansion is consistent with Uber's objective to establish a zero-emissions mobility platform in the United States, Canada, and Europe by the year 2030.

The objective is motivated in part by a 2021 California law requiring all ride-hailing trips to be made in electric vehicles by that date.

In the United States and Canada, just 4.1% of travel miles have been covered by electric cars, whether they are luxurious or not.

The percentage of rides in California specifically that were taken in EVs was not disclosed by Uber.

According to Uber, its agreement with Hertz to let drivers rent Teslas in more than 30 U.S. and Canada locations has sped up the adoption of electric vehicles among its American drivers.

More than 24 million electric rides have now been taken by drivers who have hired a Tesla under the programme, according to the business.

By 2025, Uber will make up to 25,000 Tesla and Polestar vehicles available to drivers across Europe as part of its Hertz agreement, beginning in London, Paris, and Amsterdam.

Also, Uber offers its customers Uber Green, which gives customers access to rides operated by hybrid or less expensive electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt.

In May 2022, Uber introduced Comfort Electric in Dubai, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Montreal (Canada), Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Tampa Bay, and Toronto are among the new markets that launched on Thursday (Canada).

According to a representative, the cost of Comfort Electric rides often falls in between Uber Comfort and Uber Black.

Uber is sweetening the deal by giving users a discount of up to 25% off for two Comfort Electric journeys from April 11 to 30 when they use the promo code GOELECTRIC.

Uber disclosed that in the previous year, the number of EV drivers utilising its network quadrupled.

In the United States, Canada, and Europe, there were roughly 38,000 active EV drivers as of Q3 2022. Europe likely makes up a larger portion of drivers with EVs.

Yet, the company still has a ways to go before it can provide trips that are completely emissions-free.

The goal is far more challenging to accomplish because Uber drivers are independent contractors rather than employees and must pay for their EV purchases with their own money.

Although the Inflation Reduction Act's federal EV tax incentives guarantee drivers reimbursements of up to $7,500, the majority of EVs, especially luxury EVs, are still pricey.

By the end of 2022, the average cost of an EV was $61,488 compared to $49,507 for all passenger vehicles and trucks, per Kelley Blue Book.

Given that Uber this week revealed CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's total compensation rose 22% last year to $24.3 million, which is made up of a $1 million base salary, approximately $14 million in stock awards, $6 million in option awards, a $2.9 million bonus, and $170,000 in other compensation for personal travel and security, some drivers who purchase higher-end vehicles are feeling the pinch of high upfront costs and low earnings.

Uber has contributed $800 million in resources to assist drivers with the transition by 2025.

Drivers claim that the company's $1 per EV trip incentive, which has a ceiling of $4,000, makes a significant impact, especially for those who buy less expensive EVs and are able to save money by not using petrol.

Also, the business and Truecar have partnered to provide drivers benefits worth up to $2,000 each.

Moreover, Hertz, Avis, Ford, Drive Sally, Hive, Zevvy, and HyreCar provide cheap rentals and leases of EVs to drivers in specific areas.

According to Uber, drivers may receive savings on EVgo charging and can save $100 on a Wallbox charger and an additional $100 on installation.

The business recently updated its driving app to inform users of the locations of the closest EV chargers.