American ride-hailing service provider Uber Technologies Inc. has partnered with Chinese NEV giant BYD to deploy 100,000 electric cars under its platform. Interestingly, the initiative’s coverage excludes the United States.
Uber and BYD partner to deploy 100,000 EVs
According to the press release on Wednesday, Uber and BYD officially formed a multi-year strategic partnership to add 100,000 new electric vehicles onto the ridesharing giant’s platform across key global markets.
“Uber and BYD share a commitment to innovate towards a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together towards that future.”
Chuanfu Wang, Chairman and President of BYD
Uber and BYD plan to initially offer their promised “best-in-class pricing and financing” to drivers in Europe and Latin America, gradually expanding across the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It remains unclear why the list excludes the US, which is one of the most progressive countries in electric vehicle uptake. However, it is worth noting that BYD previously announced it has no plans yet to penetrate Tesla’s home turf due to regulatory barriers.
“We are elated to join forces with a global leader like Uber to not only accelerate the transition to electric vehicles but also to make green transportation accessible and affordable for everyone. This collaboration marks a new era in the electrification of urban mobility, and we look forward to seeing our cutting-edge EVs become a common sight on the streets of cities worldwide.”
Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas
Key objectives
Uber and BYD aim to significantly reduce the total cost of electric vehicle ownership for drivers under the American ridesharing giant’s platform.
In effect, the initiative can further accelerate electric vehicle adoption on the Uber platform across the world.
Uber claims that its drivers are five times more open to purchasing electric vehicles compared to private car owners. However, the high EV costs and limited financing availability continue to hinder the widespread shift to electric cars within the ridesharing industry.
Uber’s partnership with BYD is a crucial part of its strategy to address the above-mentioned challenges. BYD EVs are affordable and cheaper to maintain and repair. Despite these, they still offer superior battery performance and excellent build quality.
“As the largest global agreement of its kind, we’re thrilled about the benefits this partnership will deliver for drivers, riders, and cities.”
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi
Supporting Uber drivers going electric
Apart from providing 100,000 BYD EVs to Uber, the partnership also plans to provide critical support to drivers. Specifically, they are considering discounts on charging and maintenance. They also plan to offer insurance, financing, and lease programs.
In addition, Uber and BYD will also partner to deploy the latter’s upcoming autonomous-capable vehicles to join the ridesharing platform.
Being the biggest rideshare network and top-selling NEV maker, Uber and BYD indeed have a strong potential to spearhead the shift to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
