Uber drivers in London are being given access to a £5,000 grant to help switch to an EV – one of several initiatives from Uber and its partners to make the transition to EV cheaper, faster and more efficient for drivers.

Drivers can spend their grant cash as a lump-sum on a purchase, or on a rental or rent-to-buy deal – through which drivers make weekly payments. Uber’s network of partners means that drivers can switch to an EV within a day. 

The grant is available to all London Uber drivers not already driving an EV to spend on a new or used electric vehicle. There are additional discounts of between £12,000 and £17,000 available on selected cars. 

All EV drivers will also be eligible for up to three months of free charging credits worth £750 and then an exclusive charging rate through bp pulse.

Uber is also installing its own chargers as part of a £5 million investment from Uber to install 700 across three London boroughs. Redbridge Council will be the first, rolling out 34 dual chargers (68 charge points) funded by Uber.

London is already Uber’s leading city for EVs globally with 25% of the ride hailing firm’s miles in the capital now fully electric.

Andrew Brem, General Manager of Uber in the UK, said: “Now is the time to speed up on electrification, not slow down. We cannot reach our collective zero-emission goals without continued action from policymakers and investment across the industry. Uber drivers can be the catalyst for accelerating electrification across the transport sector but collaboration will be crucial to combat air pollution and work towards a more sustainable future.”

Redbridge Council is rolling out 34 dual chargers funded by Uber