Uber: ride firm expands zero-emission EV taxi trips to two Yorkshire cities at no extra cost
Uber is rolling out greener rides in Yorkshire, making electric journeys easier for drivers and passengers ⚡
- Uber passengers in Leeds, Sheffield, and six other UK cities can now request an electric vehicle (EV) at no extra cost
- Trips in an EV cost the same as a standard UberX ride, though availability depends on local drivers
- The expansion comes as Uber admits it missed its goal for all London cars to be electric by the end of 2025
- Limited access to charging infrastructure is cited as the main barrier for drivers switching to EVs
Uber passengers in Yorkshire can now request an electric vehicle at no extra cost, as the ride-hailing firm expands its EV option to eight more UK cities.
From this week, riders in Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Belfast and Merseyside, including Liverpool, will see the option to book an electric car through the app when one is nearby. Trips in an EV will cost the same as a standard UberX journey.
For customers in West and South Yorkshire, that means a quieter, zero-emission journey for the same fare, though availability will depend on how many local drivers have made the switch.
The expansion comes at an awkward moment for Uber, as it admitted to falling short of a major target.
The company had pledged that all cars operating on its platform in London would be fully electric by the end of 2025, and had said it was “on track” to meet that goal as recently as 2022.
But it has now confirmed it missed the deadline, saying that “over 40%” of miles travelled on Uber journeys in the capital are currently in EVs.
Uber blames limited access to charging infrastructure for slowing the transition. It says, drivers remain concerned about finding reliable and affordable places to power up, particularly those without off-street parking at home.
Andrew Brem, Uber’s UK general manager, said expanding Uber Electric to more cities would give more passengers access to “an emissions-free trip at the same price as an UberX.”
He added: “It’s clear that electric is better for riders, drivers and cities, but access to charging is the biggest barrier for drivers thinking about making the switch to electric.”
To address this, Uber has announced new support measures, including discounted home and public charging, an advice service to help drivers decide when and where to charge, and financial guarantees linked to charger use.
It is also partnering with charging operator Pod to expand infrastructure, with the aim of making electric driving more practical in cities such as Leeds and Sheffield.