Uber partners with Chinese EV maker BYD to help its drivers make the switch

Uber has announced a new multiyear partnership with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD, with an aim of getting a larger number of the rideshare app’s drivers in EVs and eventually also making rides more affordable for passengers. The deal includes lower prices and financing options for Uber drivers looking to get a BYD car, with some models retailing for under $10,000 in China.

“While Uber drivers are going electric five times faster than private car owners, driver surveys show the price of EVs and availability of financing remain the key barriers to switching,” Uber said in a statement. “In addition to their affordability, BYD vehicles have lower costs of maintenance and repair, and are well suited to rideshare due to the wide range of models, superior battery performance and excellent build quality.”

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This plan between the two companies will initially be implemented with 100,000 BYD EVs making their way to Uber drivers in Europe and Latin America. While U.S. drivers will not benefit due to American tariffs on Chinese EVs, the partnership is expected to expand to other regions, including the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Uber drivers in participating areas may access discounts on charging, maintenance, insurance and leasing offers for their EVs.

“Uber and BYD share a commitment to innovate towards a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together towards that future,” Chuanfu Wang, chairman and president of BYD, said.

The two companies also plan to collaborate further on autonomous driving technology, with BYD working on self-driving vehicles for future use on the Uber app. The ride-hailing company’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said last year that self-driving vehicles could eventually make up a fifth of Uber’s offerings, potentially saving users money in the process.

This partnership follows Uber’s previous EV efforts, working with rental car company Hertz to make 50,000 Teslas available for its drivers, and also offering them incentives of up to $2,000 if they switch to a Tesla. These initiatives are part of Uber’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions in the U.S., Canada and Europe by 2030, and globally by 2040.