Login
My Garage
New hero

London Uber drivers offered £5,000 EV grant

By Mathilda Bartholomew | May 20, 2024

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

Uber aims to accelerate London's electric vehicle shift with new driver grants and incentives

London Uber drivers offered £5,000 EV grant

Nearly two years after the UK discontinued its plug-in car grant, a new scheme has been launched to help people buy electric cars. However, this one isn't from the government—it's exclusively for Uber drivers in London.

The new grant provides London-based Uber drivers with £5,000 toward the purchase, lease, or hire of a new electric vehicle (EV). This offer can be combined with other Uber driver discounts, which can range from an additional £12,000 to £17,000 on various models, including some from Kia, potentially saving drivers up to £22,000.

On top of this, Uber is partnering with BP Pulse to give drivers up to £250 of free public charging per month for the first three months, followed by a special lower charging rate for BP Pulse users in the scheme.

Uber's investment in EVs doesn't just benefit its drivers. The company has helped Redbridge Council install 68 new charge points and plans to add 700 more public EV chargers in London.

Additionally, Uber users will get 10% off their first Uber Green trip, which uses a fully electric car. Uber also notes that its EV drivers tend to earn about 10% more per trip, though this is partly because Uber Green trips generally cost more than standard UberX rides.

Andrew Brem, Uber's UK manager, emphasised the urgency of transitioning to electric vehicles, stating, "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.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the new scheme, saying it “will give drivers who need it a helping hand to switch their petrol or diesel vehicle for an electric one. Schemes like this are helping us to build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”

Meanwhile, non-Uber drivers still face a lack of government incentives for EV purchases. The government recently rejected calls from the House of Lords to reduce VAT on electric vehicles, citing the financial pressure such a move would impose.

Related Articles

SUVs 44% More Likely to Kill Cyclists and Pedestrians in Collisions Than Standard Cars, Study Finds
People walking or cycling are far more likely to die if hit by an SUV rather than a smaller car like a hatchback or saloon, according to new...
May 13, 2025
DVLA Bans 464 Number Plates from September 2025 Due to Offensive Content
Each banned list is the result of a detailed review process led by senior DVLA staff and industry experts
May 13, 2025
Gen Z most at risk of car theft, new research finds
Gen Z drivers (17–24) are 36 times more likely to have their car stolen than drivers over 55, with 18% affected compared to just 0.5%.
May 13, 2025
Nissan is cutting 11,000 more jobs and shutting 7 factories—Here’s why
Nissan is cutting 11,000 more jobs and closing factories after a tough year of falling sales, a failed merger, and major financial losses....
May 13, 2025