Uber has announced plans to introduce a new digital assistant to support its drivers in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs).
Designed as part of Uber’s mission to promote sustainability and reduce emissions, the assistant, which will be powered by advanced software, will be available to drivers in the United States starting in early 2025.
Initially, it will focus on answering questions related to electric vehicles, such as advice on the best models to purchase or details on charging locations.
The new feature is built to provide personalised assistance, with Uber confirming that it will offer responses based on the driver’s location, city-specific government incentives, and personal preferences.
The assistant will be integrated into the Uber driver app, and drivers will have the option to interact with it either through text or voice commands.
In addition to this digital assistant, Uber will also be launching a mentorship scheme to further encourage the switch to EVs. Experienced electric vehicle drivers will be offered incentives to act as mentors, sharing their knowledge with other drivers who are new to the EV experience.
This mentorship programme is expected to help drivers better understand the costs and benefits of owning and operating electric vehicles.
The company’s Uber Green option, which allows passengers to choose hybrid or fully electric vehicles, is now available in over 180 cities, and plans are underway to introduce an EV-only option in 40 cities globally, including major urban centres such as New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.
As part of its sustainability drive, Uber has pledged $800 million to help its drivers fully transition to electric vehicles by 2040. Currently, the company reports that EV adoption among Uber drivers is growing rapidly, with drivers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe making the switch at five times the rate of regular motorists.
London, in particular, has seen good progress, with nearly 30% of all miles driven via Uber now powered by electricity.
To further promote environmental initiatives, Uber has also introduced new rewards for top-performing merchants on its food delivery platform, offering $50,000 grants to assist them in implementing sustainability measures.
Added to this, Uber plans to host pop-up events in various cities, giving customers a chance to test drive popular electric vehicles like the Lotus Eletre and Rivian models.
