Uber Expands All-Electric Ride Option

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Uber, the global ride-sharing company, is reportedly advancing its efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs) on its platform. The company has unveiled a revamped version of its Uber Green service, now exclusively featuring all-electric vehicles.

Previously, Uber Green offered both hybrid and fully electric options, but the shift to an EV-only model marks a significant step in the company’s sustainability strategy.

To enhance user experience, Uber will introduce a feature allowing riders to prioritize EV rides whenever the estimated time of arrival (ETA) is only slightly longer than that of a standard UberX.

The all-electric Uber Green service will launch in various U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Orange County, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Denver, Phoenix, and Sacramento.

Internationally, it will expand to cities such as Paris, France; Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand.

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, noted, "After launching Uber Green with hybrids and EVs worldwide, we now have enough EV drivers on our platform to offer an EV-only option in over 40 cities globally.

Riders will be able to select an EV at a similar price to UberX." He added, "If you love the EV experience but occasionally face longer ETAs, the new feature will let you set your preference in the app.

If an EV is nearby and the ETA is within a few minutes of an UberX, your ride will be on the way." To encourage more drivers to switch to EVs, Uber plans to roll out an AI assistant next year in the U.S. to help answer common questions about buying an EV.

The assistant, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4, will provide recommendations on range, charging, and other considerations. Additionally, an EV mentorship program will connect experienced EV drivers with those considering the switch.

"Going electric is a big decision, and drivers have many questions," Khosrowshahi said. "Our new AI assistant in the driver app will help answer every EV-related question." Uber also plans a series of "premium EV pop-up" events, where riders can experience high-end electric vehicles such as the Lotus Eletre in London and the Rivian R1 in Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas.