Last updated 02 June 2023
Update: As of 02/06/2023, all spots for the General EV Reduced Service Fee Program (non-Splend Program) have been taken. Uber is dedicated to helping driver-partners provide greener transportation. To find out more about our efforts towards sustainability, please visit our website.
In our journey to becoming a zero emissions platform by 2040, we want to help encourage the adoption of electric vehicles by bringing exclusive offers to driver-partners on the Uber platform in Australia.
In our journey to becoming a zero emissions platform by 2040 we want to help encourage the uptake of electric vehicles by driver-partners on the Uber platform in Australia.
What’s happening?
From 1 July 2022, driver-partners using battery electric vehicles will have a 50% reduced service fee while driving on the Uber Platform, until 30 June 2025. The service fee reduction is capped at $3,500 per year per driver-partner, and is limited to the first 2,500 drivers who upload a battery electric vehicle to Uber. Current driver-partners who have taken a trip with a battery electric vehicle since 1 April 2022 will count towards the 2,500 driver limit. Full eligibility requirements are set out below in the terms and conditions.
Additionally, from the 11th October 2022, eligible driver-partners in Sydney can rent-to-own a brand-new premium electric vehicle Polestar 2 through Splend and get the 50% reduced service fee up to $6,000 per financial year until June 2025. Read more about that partnership here.
Why are we doing this?
This is an extension of last year’s 12 month service fee reduction for EV driver-partners. The results of this program so far have been phenomenal. The number of driver-partners using EVs on the platform has almost quadrupled, with 5 times as many EV trips being taken now than before the initiative. This equates to over 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions saved in the last 12 months. That’s almost equivalent to planting 16,000 trees!
Here’s what some of our Driver Partners have to say:
Robert, a Hyundai Ioniq driver-partner from Melbourne said:
“Since I bought the electric car in 2019… That’s $5000 a year not coming out of my pocket and going towards the price of the vehicle. That saving has been huge. It’s cheaper to run an electric car, and that’s where the advantage is. We’re doing this as a business after all”.
Nathan, a Tesla driver-partner from Brisbane said:
“I’m hugely conscious of my impact on the environment, and invested in an electric car for this reason, and also because of the rising cost of fuel.”
“I think it’s awesome that Uber are putting their money where their mouth is on this – when you half the service fee it really is a no brainer for rideshare drivers who use their cars all the time and I think it will definitely help continue to drive momentum of EV uptake.”
“Riders absolutely love the experience of an EV, and often their curiosity to learn more can leave them feeling inspired to consider an EV for their own private vehicle too. The idea of more Uber EV trips will undoubtedly have a knock on effect and demonstrate the impact EVs can have on our individual wallets and carbon footprints. For any drivers considering it, I’d say absolutely go for it. The short term investment will pay off well in the long run, not only on reduced service costs but earnings with Uber too!”
Terms and Conditions
There are a maximum of 2,500 spaces available for eligible driver-partners who drive a battery electric vehicle (BEV Driver Partners). 500 of these spaces are available for eligible driver-partners who choose to enter into a rent to own arrangement with Splend for a Polestar 2 (Splend Offer Driver Partners).
BEV Driver Partners terms and conditions
Hybrid electric vehicles are not eligible for the program.
Existing driver-partners are eligible if they have taken a trip with a battery electric vehicle on the Uber app since 1 April 2022.
New or existing driver-partners who: (1) upload a battery electric vehicle onto the Uber app; (2) meet all of the driving and documentary requirements for driving on the Uber app; and (3) take 1 trip with the battery electric vehicle after 1 July 2022 are eligible for a space.
Driver-partners will be notified by email once their space in the program is secured.
Service fee reduction of 50% is available to a maximum of $3,500 per financial year (1 July – 30 June) per driver partner.
Posted by Matthew Hadchiti
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