Uber offers 500 drivers the chance to drive an EV on payment plan

One of Australia’s largest rideshare companies will make a big change to what its offering customers in the coming years.

Uber Australia has announced a new strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 2040 by offering up 500 electric vehicles to their drivers.

The company has partnered with Splend to make 500 electric Polestar 2 vehicles available to Sydney drivers who want to purchase them on a flexi-own plan.

Drivers who take up the scheme will get a 50 per cent reduction in the Uber service fees paid on each trip until June 2025.

Splend offers Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motors from $550 per week for a minimum term of 26 weeks.

Uber global CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told 2GB radio station on Wednesday the drivers will be able to drive all day on a single charge.

The electric Polestar 2 is available at $550 a week for drivers. Picture: Supplied

“The range is enough for an Uber driver to get a full day of earnings or to take a break during lunch and recharge and then get back on the road,” Mr Khosrowshahi said.

He said a major challenge that the government needs to overcome is the availability of charging stations across the state.

“Having that charging infrastructure be available in the middle of cities where a lot of drivers are driving but also in the neighbourhoods where they live, those are incredibly important,” Mr Khosrowshahi said.

Drivers can buyout the vehicle within the last twelve months of the contract or pay a $1 balloon payment plus stamp duty once the contract is complete.

Uber global CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the EVs will be able to last a whole day on one charge. Picture: Philip Pacheco / AFP

The majority of the vehicles will arrive this year with the remainder in early 2023.

Polestar 2’s meet the requirements for Uber’s Comfort and Premier products, which means driver partners can charge more on trips.

In 2023, Uber will launch a Comfort Electric product which will allow rideshare users to choose an electric vehicle to take them to their destination.

“We know there are many barriers for Australians when it comes to driving an electric vehicle, not the least being limited supply and the cost of the car itself,” General Manager of Uber ANZ Dom Taylor said.

“We believe that the future of transport is shared and electric, and we’re thrilled to soon offer Aussies a greener ride around town with Comfort Electric.”

Uber is offering up reduced fees to drivers who want to purchase an EV. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray

The landmark deal between Uber and Splend was made possible by the NSW Government’s Drive Electric fleets incentive which secured them $1.8 million in funding.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean welcome the collaboration as a move towards electrifying the state’s roads.

“Australia’s transition to electric vehicles is a priority at all levels of government, and we’re encouraged to see this kind of collaboration in the private sector that is bringing more EVs to city streets, and faster,” Mr Kean said.