Uber is known worldwide for its massive number of cars on the road and extensive service, and studies suggest that the ride-share services account for massive shares of CO2 emissions too.
In order to reduce their carbon footprint, the company recently introduced Uber Green. Uber Green is an option that lets you pay a bit more to get an electric car or a hybrid car.
Uber Green's expansion
So far, Uber Green has been available in around 50 cities, but Uber has announced that it is greatly expanding its service to 1,400 new North American cities and towns. This includes New York City, Calgary, Houston and Miami.
To get an electric vehicle or hybrid car, you just need to select a ride and a card will immediately pop up asking if you want a green vehicle.
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If you choose that option, you will be charged with an extra $1, with half of that going to the driver. The service was first launched late 2020 in the United States, but it has been available in Europe since 2019.
Uber is trying to help drivers transition to zero-emissions cars with numerous new and expanded programs as well. This will start in Los Angeles, California, with plans to expand to other states in the country this year. The program will allow drivers to use zero-emissions cars through a new and affordable Avis EV rental program.
In January 2021, San Francisco drivers can rent cars using Ample technology that allows them to swap their EV batteries in mere minutes, the company stated. It is also offering expanded EV charging discounts through EVgo across 800 US locations.
Uber has also expanded its journey planning service to 10 more cities in the country. That program will let you plan your whole public transit journey. You can swipe through real-time schedules to walking directions to and from transit stations directly from its app, according to Uber.
Also, Uber is also working to give information and service around the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has teamed up with Moderna, the vaccine manufacturer, to deliver credible information regarding COVID-19 and the vaccine through its messaging app.
The two companies are also working with public health organizations to improve vaccine access, it could give rides to appointments and it could add vaccination text reminders to its app.
Uber's impact on the environment
Uber have consumed a vast amount of attention since it launched ten years ago. However, in many ways, people are just beginning to understand what ride-hailing is doing.
An increasing research by academics and policymakers points to a host of negative impacts linked with the popularity of on-demand rides, This includes declines in public transit ridership, increased traffic congestion and upticks in traffic fatalities.
The new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists shows another effect of the ride-hailing sector and that is the environmental toll.
The study shows that the average ride-hailing trip in the United States results in 69% more pollution than the transportation choice it displace, based on federal car efficiency statistics, the data collected by both state and local transportation regulators and previous academic research that was done through surveys.
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Written by Sieeka Khan
