30% of all miles driven by London Uber drivers are fully electric, but ‘still a lot of work to do’ says UK General Manager

Uber is accelerating its journey towards sustainability with a sharp focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and environmental innovation. The company, which aims to become a zero-emissions platform by 2040, is marking significant milestones, particularly in London.

Speaking to TaxiPoint, Andrew Brem, Uber’s UK General Manager, revealed that over 30% of all miles driven on the platform in the capital are now fully electric, compared to nearly zero just a few years ago. This progress comes as part of a broader effort that has seen the number of EVs on Uber’s platform grow globally to 180,000—triple the figure from the previous year.

To support the transition, Uber is offering drivers £5,000 grants to help them purchase EVs, alongside exclusive discounts from manufacturers. Such measures are making strides towards cleaner city air, but Brem acknowledges there is still work ahead. The challenge lies in making EVs the default choice for drivers, a goal the company will continue to pursue in 2025.

Globally, Uber Green, which allows users to book hybrid or electric rides, is now available in over 200 cities. New features will allow riders to prioritise EVs and track their emissions savings, offering more sustainable transport options. The company is also expanding its EV-only service to 40 cities and plans to showcase premium EVs like the Lotus Eletre in London.

A recent partnership with Octopus Energy will also provide 1,000 UK drivers with free home chargers and discounted public charging.

Whilst speaking on a number of key topics within the taxi and private hire sector, Brem said: “One other area that I am personally very proud of is the growth of electric vehicles on Uber. Globally, in the last year Uber has tripled the number of electric vehicles to 180,000, and London is right at the forefront of this progress. 

“Over 30% of all Uber miles in the capital are now fully electric, up from near zero only a few years ago. We have supported drivers in making the switch by providing £5,000 grants to help them get into an EV. Drivers are also benefiting from exclusive pricing from a number of EV manufacturers on top of the grant, which has led to large numbers of drivers switching.

That makes me very proud as it is making a real difference to air quality in our cities.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, as we haven’t yet reached the tipping point where an EV is the obvious choice for drivers, so we will be very busy next year in this area.”