bp pulse and Uber team up on driver charging as EV momentum builds – EQ Mag

• Global agreement aims to accelerate Uber’s 2040 commitment to decarbonisation.

• Access to bp’s high speed charging network to help drivers on Uber’s platform make the switch to EVs.

• Initial focus on regional agreements in key markets in Europe, the UK, the US.

bp and Uber today announced a new global mobility agreement which will see the companies work together to help accelerate Uber’s commitment to become a zero-tailpipe emissions mobility platform in the US, Canada and Europe by 2030 and globally by 2040.

The agreement, thought to be an industry first between a ride-hailing platform and an integrated energy company, will see the companies use their global footprints to help drivers transition to EVs by providing access to reliable and convenient charging, including at ultra-fast speeds.

Uber aims to have 100% of rides on the platform in electric vehicles, micromobility or public transit by 2040; bp’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner and to help the world get to net zero.

Uber and bp will initially focus on collaborating in a number of key markets including Europe, the US and UK to support Uber’s 2030 targets, with other countries including Australia and New Zealand to follow. Regional teams from the two companies will now work together to offer drivers on Uber’s platform bespoke access to bp pulse’s high speed charging network, including special offers.

Richard Bartlett, CEO, bp pulse said: “Drivers on Uber’s platform need great value access to the fast, reliable charging infrastructure we’re building as they make the switch to electric. We’re investing billions of dollars worldwide in high-speed EV charging, digital products and services, and large scale bp pulse Gigahubs™ that will help commercial customers eliminate tailpipe emissions.

“I’m delighted we are building on our existing relationship and now have a global agreement to support ride-hail drivers with charging and more, at scale, helping Uber make their incredible 2040 ambition a reality.”

Uber and bp pulse started their strategic relationship back in 2021 when bp opened its first rapid commercial charging hub on Park Lane in London. Uber was bp’s first ride-hailing platform partner customer to get access to the new hub which provides charge points to drivers on the Uber platform. London is Uber’s leading market for electrification, with over 15% of miles driven with Uber in London all electric. Drivers on Uber’s platform in Europe are switching to EVs five times faster than the general population, and the company aims for a 100% EV fleet in London by the end of 2025.

Christopher Hook, Uber’s Global Head of Sustainability said: “We want Uber to be the cleanest platform on Earth because it’s the right thing for consumers, our cities and our business. Getting to 100% electric is not something Uber can do alone. It is a team sport, and it will take partnerships like this to reach zero tailpipe emissions, especially as we know availability of easy to access, affordable charging infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges for drivers.“

bp currently has 22,000 charging points worldwide, with operations in teni countries. The company is investing billions globally in EV infrastructure and is currently installing hundreds of charge points every week. Their ambition is to have over 100,000 charge points worldwide by 2030. This investment helps address the concerns of ride-hailing drivers, as identified in a recent survey of 16,000 drivers on the Uber platform, by providing the reliable and convenient charging infrastructure they need to feel confident about making the switch to electric.

The partnership builds on Uber’s initiatives to help drivers go electric, including adding a Charging Map directly to the Driver app to show them where the nearest EV chargers are located as well as launching an EV Hub in the Uber Driver app, a one-stop shop where drivers can get information and compare the cost of ownership (TCO) of an EV with a non-EV.

Under the terms of the agreement, bp intends to offer bespoke deals to drivers on the Uber platform that are tailored to each market, including providing incentives for them to charge with bp pulse. The two companies will also explore working together on convenience and fuel offers. bp has a global network of almost 21,000 branded retail sites that offer fuel as well as food for now and for later with retail partners, and facilities such as toilets.

About bp

bp’s purpose is to reimagine energy for people and our planet. It has set out an ambition to be a net zero company by 2050, or sooner and help the world get to net zero, and a strategy for delivering on that ambition. For more information visit bp.com.

About bp pulse

bp pulse is bp’s electric vehicle (EV) charging business, rolling out fast, reliable charge points to consumers and commercial fleets around the world. Globally, bp pulse is one of the UK’s leading rapid and ultra-fast public EV charging networks. It also operates the largest number of sites with ultra-fast charging in Germany, with a growing charging point footprint in China and the Netherlands. The company aims to increase its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 worldwide.

About Uber

Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 37 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.