Uber users in London face an extra 15p per mile charge, as part of a new 'Clean Air Plan' from the ridesharing company.
The fee — to be introduced in early 2019 — will be added to every trip booked through the Uber app in London. The extra cash will go towards helping drivers upgrade to an electric vehicle, as well as other clean air initiatives, such as more charging points, and a diesel car scrappage scheme.
Uber's aim is for every car on the app in the capital to be fully electric by 2025. It echoes the sentiment of rules that state new black cabs in London must be zero emissions. (New hybrid cars — until now, Uber's vehicle of preference — are still allowed to be introduced.)
Uber predicts that on an average trip, the clean air fee will cost Londoners about 45p. Over the next few years, the company calculates that'll add up to around £200m.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said:
The Mayor of London has set out a bold vision to tackle air pollution in the capital and we're determined to do everything we can to back it. Our £200 million Clean Air Plan is a long-term investment in the future of London aimed at going all electric in the capital in 2025. Over time, it's our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options - whether cars, bikes, scooters or public transport - all in the Uber app.
Uber's announcement comes shortly after rival Gett said it was to become the UK's first ride hailing app to launch on-demand electric taxi rides. Customers also have the opportunity to ride 'carbon positive' by paying an optional 20p extra per ride through Gett Green class.
It's undoubtedly a positive thing that air pollution is being taken seriously by Uber; whether it should come at extra cost to consumers — especially when Uber has faced accusations of taking advantage of tax loopholes — is another matter.
