Have you ever wondered how electric vehicles impact our environment? As the world steers towards a greener future, companies like Uber are making a concerted effort towards sustainability.
Uber plans to become a net-zero emissions mobility platform by 2040. Like Walmart’s Project Gigaton, Uber also offers a blueprint for other companies, regardless of their size.
Uber’s climate action blueprint
Think about the last time you saw a fleet of trucks on the road, humming along noisily. It’s hard to ignore the fact that the freight industry contributes a significant portion of global carbon emissions.
This reality urges companies to embrace cleaner transportation methods. Recognizing its responsibility, Uber’s climate action plan revolves around the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
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Uber’s global head of sustainability, Thibaud Simphal, says when drivers make the switch to electric, the emissions in their communities are reduced by three to four times, when compared to an average car owner.
A SPARK! report backs up this claim by outlining the impact electrifying ride-hailing services has in Europe, where zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) drivers completed 9.6% of all on-trip mileage.
The report states how the move to cut harmful transport emissions is “one of the most urgent challenges” of our time. Unfortunately, the transport sector still lags behind other industries – such as power, housing, and heavy industry – when it comes to reducing emissions.
Innovative partnerships
Imagine a bustling city street where the air is clean and noise pollution levels are kept to a minimum. This is the future Uber envisions, but Simphal says the path to this vision hinges on innovative partnerships.
For example, Uber collaborated with Hertz in Europe to bring “up to 25,000 EVs to drivers on the Uber platform.” ZEV drivers keep their fuel costs down, while also contributing towards that city scene where the air is cleaner, providing a better quality of life for their families.
Uber’s other initiatives include launching the Electric Boda in Africa, and a partnership with EVSE in Australia that secured discounts on cutting-edge at-home EV chargers for drivers.
The bigger picture
A study from Nature Communications highlights that achieving the below 2°C global warming target set by the Paris Agreement depends on society’s widespread adoption of EVs. To meet this goal, at least 90% of the global vehicle stock should be replaced by EVs by 2050.
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) also emphasizes how EVs significantly reduce health issues. Thus, the quest for clean transportation is more urgent than ever.
As more organizations recognize this necessity, we move closer to a future where clean, efficient, and sustainable mobility is a reality.
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About the author
Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
