Uber to Incentivize More EV Chargers Near Its Drivers

Uber said it will offer incentives to companies that operate electric vehicle chargers to build more stations in the United States and Europe, targeting neighborhoods where its drivers live or frequently pick up and drop off passengers. The company will guarantee that chargers installed in those areas will be used a minimum amount of time, a pledge meant to help operators recover the cost of new stations.

Ride-hail drivers are among the heaviest users of fast public chargers, and many cannot charge at home. Charles Iwuoha, one of about 13,000 ride-share drivers who use electric vehicles in New York City, said his Kia EV9’s battery lasts a full 10-hour shift and that it costs him $20 to $40 less to charge than refueling his previous gasoline car.

“Time is money,” he said. Uber hopes the effort will lead to 1,000 new chargers and said it will spend $100 million to build charging hubs for autonomous vehicles.

United States; Europe, New York City

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