Uber to add 10,000 BYDs in Australia, expands EV incentives

Uber Australia has today partnered with distributor EVDirect to introduce a fleet of 10,000 BYD electric cars.

Uber rideshare drivers and Uber Eats delivery workers can now access “flexible and competitive” financing options via EVFlex to use an Atto 3 small electric SUV, with more models coming soon.

This will likely include the forthcoming BYD Dolphin small hatchback and Seal sedan.

Two financing options are now available: ‘Full Ownership’ offers a path to own the BYD electric car through longer-term financing, whereas ‘Flexi Ownership’ has the option to return the vehicle after a minimum term.

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More rental and ownership offerings will be available by early 2024.

EVDirect chief executive Luke Todd said the partnership will improve the accessibility for gig-economy workers to access electric vehicles and ultimately earn more income, amid high fuel prices.

“What excites me the most is the amount of money drivers and delivery people can save by switching to electric, given the number of kilometres that they drive each day,” Todd said.

This adds to Uber’s partnership with Splend, which offers rideshare car subscriptions, including the MG 4 hatch, Tesla Model 3 sedan, and Polestar 2 liftback EVs.

Users who want to ride in an electrified vehicle have the option to choose the Uber Green tier since June, which is the same cost as the standard UberX option.

Uber expands EV offerings

Uber claims the adoption of EVs on its platform has been “slower than hoped” in Victoria.

As a result, an additional 500 places for its service fee reduction program will be available to eligible Victorian Uber drivers soon.

This means, from November 1, successfully-enrolled EV drivers on the popular rideshare platform will have their mandatory service fees halved for each trip until June 2025, with a limit of $3500 per financial year.

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Additionally, business customers can now choose a Comfort Electric tier to travel in an all-electric premium vehicle model with highly-rated drivers.

A sustainability insights dashboard is also offered for Uber for Business customers to track carbon emissions travel data to help organisations improve their corporate sustainability initiatives.

Comfort Electric is now available in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.