Yazılar

Uber Rebrands “Green” as “Electric” and Offers $4,000 Grants to Speed Up EV Adoption

/in /tarafından

Uber Technologies (UBER.N) announced on Wednesday that it is rebranding its “Uber Green” ride option as “Uber Electric”, unveiling a $4,000 incentive program to encourage U.S. drivers to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The move marks a key step in the company’s plan to achieve zero-emission rides globally by 2040.

The new initiative, called “Go Electric”, will provide eligible drivers with grants of up to $4,000, which can be stacked with state and manufacturer incentives, helping to offset EV prices at a time when costs are rising. The federal $7,500 EV tax credit, introduced under President Joe Biden, expired last month, making Uber’s grants even more valuable for drivers considering the switch.

Earlier this year, Uber transitioned its Uber Green service in the U.S. to an all-electric fleet, eliminating hybrids from the program. The company now counts over 200,000 EVs on its platform worldwide, with drivers in North America and Europe adopting electric vehicles up to five times faster than the general population.

According to Uber, one in four riders said their first EV experience came through an Uber trip. To celebrate the rebrand, the company will also offer riders a 20% discount on their next electric ride.

Uber is expanding its battery-aware matching system — a feature that connects drivers to trips within their available battery range — to 25 countries. The tool aims to reduce “range anxiety”, the common concern that an EV may run out of charge before reaching a destination or charging station.

Uber’s sustainability push comes as competition in green mobility intensifies, with rivals such as Lyft and Bolt also pledging to electrify their fleets. Analysts say Uber’s latest move could strengthen its leadership in urban electrification, particularly as governments tighten emissions rules and consumer demand for eco-friendly transport continues to grow.

Britain Forecasted to Reach Peak Gasoline This Year as Electric Vehicles Gain Traction

/in /tarafından

Britain is set to reach a milestone in 2024, with the country expected to hit “peak petrol” — a moment when the number of gasoline-powered cars will begin to significantly decline, signaling a shift towards electric vehicles (EVs).

According to a report published by Auto Trader, the number of gasoline-powered cars on British roads is forecast to drop nearly by half over the next decade as drivers increasingly switch to EVs. In 2024, there are expected to be 18.7 million gasoline cars, a number projected to fall to 11.1 million by 2034.

Meanwhile, the number of EVs on the roads is expected to skyrocket from 1.25 million in 2024 to 13.7 million by 2034. The EV share of new car sales is projected to increase from 18% in 2024 to 23% in 2025, although this still falls short of the U.K. government’s target of 28% under the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

“Peak petrol marks a genuine turning point for the U.K.,” said Ian Plummer of Auto Trader. “Over the next decade, we expect a seismic shift in British motoring as the number of petrol cars falls sharply and EVs take a larger share.”

Despite challenges such as the introduction of ZEV targets and supply constraints, Plummer noted that strong demand for used cars continues.

ZEV Mandate and Industry Pressures

The U.K.’s ZEV mandate requires that at least 22% of new cars sold be zero-emission vehicles, with the target set to rise to 28% in 2025, 80% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. However, the mandate has faced criticism, particularly as the cost of EVs remains high, leading to concerns over the industry’s ability to meet targets without putting businesses at risk.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned that government targets could harm the industry’s viability and job security, citing recent closures like Stellantis’ Vauxhall van factory in Luton, which threatens over 1,000 jobs.

Despite these concerns, 14 NGOs and campaign groups sent an open letter urging the U.K. government to uphold the ZEV mandate, arguing that it remains one of the country’s most significant measures for reducing carbon emissions.

A U.K. government spokesperson confirmed that a consultation will be launched soon to explore how to best support the industry in reaching its target of phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030. The government has also allocated £2 billion ($2.54 billion) to support domestic manufacturing during the transition and committed over £300 million to boost EV adoption.

Uzbekistan Turns to Electric Vehicles in Its Push for Green Energy Transition

/in /tarafından

Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s most populous country, is taking bold steps to reduce its carbon emissions and shift towards a greener economy, with electric vehicles (EVs) playing a pivotal role in this transition. Historically dependent on fossil fuels for electricity, Uzbekistan has been ranked as one of the world’s most carbon-intensive economies by the World Bank. To combat this, the nation has introduced significant measures to encourage the adoption of EVs as part of a broader green growth strategy.

In a bid to make electric and hybrid cars more affordable, Uzbekistan eliminated excise and customs duties on these vehicles five years ago. This move slashed prices by as much as 50%, according to estimates, leading to a surge in EV sales. Over the past three years, sales of electric cars have grown tenfold, reflecting the country’s increasing commitment to green energy.

For consumers like Timur Chutbaev, a project manager based in Tashkent, the lower prices were a strong incentive to invest in an electric car. Chutbaev explained that powering his EV is far cheaper than using diesel or gasoline vehicles, given Uzbekistan’s government-subsidized electricity rates. Charging his car at home costs him just $5 for 500 kilometers (310 miles) of driving, making EV ownership both economically and environmentally attractive.

Although EVs currently account for a small share of the market, their numbers are rising. In 2022, 25,000 electric vehicles were sold out of a total of 1.7 million car sales. Chinese EV giant BYD, which dominates Uzbekistan’s imports, has further entrenched its presence by opening a plant in the Jizzakh region. With an annual capacity of 50,000 plug-in hybrids, the facility marks BYD’s first venture outside of China and is expected to serve the broader Central Asian market.

Picture background

However, the rise of EVs in Uzbekistan would not have been possible without investments in infrastructure. Alexander Abdullaev, CEO of local EV dealership Megawatt Motors, recalls the initial challenges of selling electric vehicles without an adequate network of charging stations. To promote EV adoption, his company built several charging points across Tashkent and surrounding regions and offered free charging services for two years. Today, hundreds of charging stations operate throughout the country, helping EVs become more accessible.

Despite the progress, Uzbekistan faces challenges in meeting its ambitious climate targets. By 2030, the country aims to reduce its emissions per unit of GDP by one-third from 2010 levels. While increasing the number of EVs on the road is a crucial step, it will not be enough on its own. The electricity grid that powers these vehicles is still primarily fueled by natural gas, a fossil fuel. In 2021, over 80% of the nation’s electricity came from gas, which significantly contributes to global warming.

Uzbekistan is actively investing in renewable energy to address this issue. Over the past five years, the country has boosted its renewable energy mix from 12% to 20%, with growing interest in hydropower and solar technology. David Knight, the World Bank’s lead country economist for Central Asia, emphasized that improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions are critical for Uzbekistan as its economy rapidly expands.

For now, demand for EVs remains strong, and Megawatt Motors is expanding its operations by training salespeople to cater to this burgeoning market. Abdullaev believes that Uzbekistan’s established automobile industry, which began in 1995, provides a solid foundation for producing homegrown electric vehicles in the near future. With the country’s green energy transition in full swing, Abdullaev is optimistic: “Anything is possible.”