Kia, Uber team up to deliver free Uber rides to the Australian Open

A bold push to promote electric cars will see scores of customers get free Uber rides to major events this month.

Uber will halve service fees for drivers with electric cars as part of a $26 million investment into Australia's electrical vehicle market over the next three years. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Scores of Australians will get a taste of electric motoring this year as Uber starts its switch to battery-powered machines.

The ride-sharing company will launch an electric-only option to all customers in late January, having trialled the service with corporate customers last year.

Uber has committed to eliminating petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles from its fleet by 2040, leaving only electric cars on its service.

Uber will host electric car rides for the Australian Open.

The brand is encouraging drivers to make the switch by reducing service fees for drivers operating electric vehicles, slashing thousands from their operating costs.

Car companies such as BYD and Polestar also have preferential deals in place for Uber drivers.

The service says the number of electric cars on its platform increased from 100 vehicles in 2021 to more than 2400 cars in the third quarter of 2023, when the number of electric rides reached an average of 13,000 every day.

That number has grown to 3400 monthly active EV drivers today.

Uber will host electric car rides for the Australian Open.

Dom Taylor, managing director for Uber Australia and New Zealand, says electric and hybrid machines are in the fast lane.

“Uber Green has been the fastest growing product I’ve ever been involved in, with Aussies notching up more than half a million trips across hybrid and electric vehicles in one week of last year alone,” he says.

“The demand shows customers want more rides in more electric vehicles, and we’re helping driver partners plug into that demand with a new premium Comfort Electric product that fills a gap in the market for environmentally conscious riders that want a bit more luxury with their green ride.”

Polestar has supported Uber’s green shift. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

Drivers participating in the “Comfort Electric” program can charge 1.3 times the cost of a regular ride – what would normally be a $50 ride becomes a $65 fare.

The service is only open to experienced, high-rated drivers with a good safety record.

Customers can get free rides in Melbourne this month, as Uber and Kia are hosting complimentary trips to the Australian Open tennis event.

The deal applies to Uber One customers who pay $9.99 per month for premium treatment.

They can request a ride in the Kia EV9 and Kia EV6 electric cars to or from the Melbourne Park precinct home to Rod Laver Arena from Sunday January 14.

Originally published as Kia, Uber team up to deliver free Uber rides to the Australian Open