Why Uber and Lyft Should Quicken Their Adoption of EVs
May 25, 2021
These days, 2030 corporate climate commitments are all the rage. Uber and Lyft have their own both aimed at transitioning their North American ride-share fleets (with Uber adding Europe) to electric vehicles (EVs) within this decade. Lyft made its commitment a year ago in June, and Uber announced its version a few months later.
A year later, a study by BloombergNEF has found that the duopoly has made minimal progress toward its goal. In the United States, where ride-hailing activities are concentrated, only 0.5 percent of ride-hailing vehicles are electric compared to the nation’s overall adoption of 2.8 percent, in part based on 2020 new car registrations.
When Curt Kinder bought a new electric Chevy Bolt three years ago, he wanted an excuse to drive it as often as possible. “It’s so smooth, quiet and agile,” he said.
So the 55-year-old electrical engineer and business owner in Jacksonville, Florida, signed up to become one of the first electric vehicle owners to drive for Uber and Lyft. Like any curious engineer, Kinder kept a meticulous spreadsheet of income and expenses for all of his 6,000-plus ride-hailing trips. He quickly realized an important truth: It s more profitable to operate an EV than a gas-powered car. Kinder spends about $5 per day on electricity to charge his car. Paying for enough gasoline to cover hundreds of miles each day would cost about $18. That $13 difference amounts to over $3,000 per year that goes right into his pocket.
How Uber and Lyft Are Losing the Race to the Electric Future
May 11 2021, 12:28 AM
May 10 2021, 2:30 PM
May 11 2021, 12:28 AM
(Bloomberg) When Curt Kinder bought a new electric Chevy Bolt three years ago, he wanted an excuse to drive it as often as possible. âItâs so smooth, quiet and agile,â he said.
(Bloomberg)
When Curt Kinder bought a new electric Chevy Bolt three years ago, he wanted an excuse to drive it as often as possible. âItâs so smooth, quiet and agile,â he said.
So the 55-year-old electrical engineer and business owner in Jacksonville, Florida, signed up to become one of the first electric vehicle owners to drive for Uber and Lyft. Like any curious engineer, Kinder kept a meticulous spreadsheet of income and expenses for all of his 6,000-plus ride-hailing trips. He quickly realized an important truth: It s more profitable to operate an EV than a gas-powered car.
CONTENT: Press Release
April 15, 2021 /3BL Media/ - Two powerful corporate networks, representing more than 80 companies with a combined $1.3 trillion in annual revenue, are calling on the Biden administration to set strong emissions and fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles.
The Ceres-led Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance and the Ceres BICEP Network applauded the administration’s commitment to revisit vehicle standard rollbacks in a pair of letters calling for strong standards that will benefit both businesses and consumers. A rapid transition to clean vehicles will reduce fuel costs while enhancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry, the groups wrote.
The Climate Group
This World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April, we’re calling on businesses all over the world to commit to having fully electric fleets by 2030. Companies are the main buyers of new vehicles and have a crucial role to play in accelerating the shift to electric transport across the whole of society. The COVID-19 pandemic has re-emphasised the need for sustainable and healthy transport, with the role of electric vehicles more important than ever.
“We are now in the Climate Decade, and it is vital that the private and public sectors collaborate effectively if we’re to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals for decarbonisation.