In an attempt to reduce pollution, Uber announced its commitment to be a 100 percent electric vehicle ride-hailing company by 2030 in the United States, Canada and Europe and by 2040 in the rest of the world.
According to Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), ride-hailing is a problem for the climate. The analysis confirmed “the average ride-hailing trip produces an estimated 69 percent more emissions than the trips it replaces,” such as walking, biking, driving and transit. Researchers at UCS came up with several strategies to address the negative climate impacts of ride-hailing to include transitioning to electric vehicles, incorporating more pooled trips and complementing mass transit.
According to UCS analysis, electrifying ride-hailing vehicles would “cut emissions by about 50 percent compared to a private vehicle trip; a pooled, electric ride-hailing trip would lower emissions by nearly 70 percent compared to a private vehicle trip (or about 79 percent compared with a non-pooled ride-hailing trip).”
The work of tens of thousands of activists across the country and worldwide pushed Uber to make such a bold commitment. Lyft committed to 100 percent electric rides by 2030 back in June.
“We applaud the tens of thousands of activists across the country whose work and tireless efforts led to Uber’s commitment to 100% electric vehicle rides by 2030,” Rebekah Whilden, a campaign representative with Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, said. “Their work will result in ensuring communities across the nation have access to cleaner air.”
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