Uber & Kia Europe link up to offer ride-share drivers discounts on Electric Vehicles
Kia Europe and Uber have announced a milestone electric mobility partnership that they say will accelerate the adoption of advanced zero-emission battery electric vehicles (BEVs) across Europe.
The partnership will see Kia offer its high-tech range of BEVs – including the award-winning e-Niro and e-Soul – to Uber drivers at a discounted rate.
Uber say they are targeting dramatic reductions in carbon emissions, with plans to become a zero-emission mobility platform across Europe by 2030. The company is targeting over 100,000 BEVs across its European platform by 2025, with 50% of the kilometers driven in seven European capitals (Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Lisbon, London, Madrid and Paris) to be in zero emission vehicles by that time.
In September 2020, Uber set out plans to become a fully electric mobility platform globally by 2040, with Europe and the US leading the way. Uber will also continue the expansion of Uber Green across Europe - where riders can request a lower emission vehicle - to 60 cities by the end of 2021.
Kia and Uber’s agreement will see drivers offered “affordable” high-tech BEVs in 20 European markets. With a real-world driving range of 454 kilometres (282 miles) for the 64kWh model, the Kia e-Niro combines full BEV zero-emissions functionality with practicality, say Uber. Charging the e-Niro’s lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80 percent takes 54 minutes using a 100kW direct current (DC) fast charger.
As part of the partnership’s wider remit, Kia and Uber will develop joint marketing and educational campaigns to further promote BEVs to Uber drivers. Kia will also offer test-drives to allow drivers to experience the brand‘s all-electric zero-emissions vehicles first-hand.
Kia’s development focus is on popularising BEVs – a core element of the company’s Plan S transformation strategy – and plans to reinforce its global product line-up with the introduction of 11 new BEV models by 2026, seven of which will be developed on the advanced Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). These new models will include a range of passenger vehicles, SUVs and MPVs across several segments, each incorporating industry-leading technology for long-range driving and high-speed charging.
“This exciting partnership with Uber heralds another important milestone for BEVs and sustainable zero-emissions mobility in Europe”, Jason Jeong, President at Kia Europe, said. “Making sure that the air is clean in congested city and town centres – as well as ensuring these spaces are quiet and free from vehicle noise pollution – is at the very top of our agenda. This important partnership with Uber is a significant step forward in realising that goal and we are very proud to be able to offer our advanced BEV range, starting with the e-Niro and e-Soul models.”
Anabel Diaz, Regional General Manager for EMEA, Uber said: “We’re proud to be working with Kia to make sure drivers across Europe have access to best-in-class electric vehicles at an affordable price. Zero-emissions mobility is more than just an aim for us - it’s a necessity. As Europe continues to reopen, we are committed to playing our part in cleaning up urban transport, so this partnership is crucial in our efforts to advance the electrification of our platform across Europe by 2030.”
