Uber Company is committed to decreasing air pollution even more, and therefore, there are updates to the Uber clean air plan. Since April 2019, The ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) and Congestion charge have increased costs for PCO car drivers (Public Carriage Office drivers). This cost will increase over time. However, drivers who own electric cars do not have to pay the congestion charge, which is why Uber wants its drivers to transition to electric cars as soon as possible.
In the past, the clean air fee came on every trip (Jan.16.2019 to March. 14.2022 in London). This money goes to the fund to upgrade to EV (automatic vehicle with an electric motor powering) PCO cars.
We wish to elaborate on the updates of Uber company, the advantages of these updates, and If it is a good deal for drivers.
What is Uber clean air plan?
Do you wish to discover the updates to the Uber Clean Air Plan? Let’s start from the beginning. As you are aware, air pollution is a big concern in many parts of the planet, especially in developed countries and busy cities. This pollution is because of solid and liquid particles and some dangerous gases that go into the air. One cause of this pollution is cars.
Statics show that vehicles cause about 30% of all CO2 production in Europe. There have been concerns and arguments on how to deal with this issue. There is pressure on car manufacturers and car hire companies to address this issue and solve it.
In 2019, Uber introduced its plan called the “Clean Air Plan.” This plan came in to assist the company deal with its commitment to improving sustainability measures. But is this fee any good? And who benefits from this plan?
A clean air fee is an extra fee charged on every trip a driver takes through the Uber app in London. This is the fee that drivers pay. The additional passenger fee is 3p a mile, which does not come from the driver’s money.
When drivers are ready to transition from gas to electric cars, they can access their Clean Air Fund towards their deposit or divide to reduce their weekly payments. When drivers make the switch to EV, they will still get the clean air fee, but they can use it to run their EV.
What are the updates to the Uber Clean Air Plan?
Discovering the Updates to the Uber Clean Air Plan can help you understand the company’s future plans. Uber will cooperate with the UK-based firm that produces electric cars for ride-hailing. These cars will start production in 2023.
About three years ago, this plan came to be in London. This plan introduced additional surcharges for passengers to support its drivers making the transition to electric vehicles in the coming years.
Uber consults its drivers during the design process to get their input until the Arrival Cars come out. They have estimated that over £135m has been raised to help this plan, and they intend to encourage drivers to get financial help to switch their cars and get a 100% electric vehicle. They mean to have a completely electric fleet in London by 2025.
More than 3.5 million Uber trips have been by fully electric vehicles, although this number is still not enough and Uber believes they “still have a long way to go.”
After London, by 2030, they intend to enlarge their scope and move to the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America. However, moving this plan to the worldwide scope and in developing countries will take at least a decade more. And this is the tricky part since some of these developing countries suffer from the most excessive air pollution issues globally. For example, take India; having this plan was needed there yesterday. But that must not stop the program, and it should go on.
Uber Green has been launched in London. This environment-friendly corporation allows passengers to choose a fully electric ride (in the city’s Zone 1 area).
Uber cooperation with Arrival Company
Uber wants to help drivers in London upgrade their vehicles to EVs by 2025, and as mentioned before, they have already raised a large number of funds for their plan. They want to encourage drivers to use this money to switch to EV by cooperating with the Arrival car company.
Arrival Company plans to design cars that meet the drivers’ needs and requirements. They will provide these electrifying ride-hailing vehicles to impact the climate and offer drivers a good deal (financially and quality-wise). They have stated that they keep drivers’ health, safety, and finances into consideration while designing.
What is the Uber Clean Air Fee?
In late 2018 Uber announced that they would charge 15p per mile on every trip booked on the application in London. However, it is worth mentioning that the distance between the car and the passenger is not calculated, and the extra fee is based on the trip only.
This money goes to a fund, which will give drivers financial support towards changing their cars, transitioning from gas to electric, and paying for maintenance. Based on the miles a driver has driven on the app and the money they have raised, Uber has pledged to help its drivers buy an electric car.
Uber drivers use hybrid and PCO cars, but the company wishes to raise over 200 million pounds to help drivers move to EVs via the updates to the Uber clean air plan. EV drivers do not need to pay congestion charges until 2025. But why should drivers switch to EV cars? You can see here for more information on this matter.
Who can get the Uber Clean Air fund?
Now that you discovered the Updates to the Uber Clean Air Plan, you should know whether, as a PCO driver, you can get this fund or not. Any driver on the Uber app who has gathered at least £100 in Clean Air Fees and has at least 150 trips completed in the past eight weeks can apply to transition their car. You can go here to see how much you can earn as a PCO car hire driver in London.
The Uber Company will reach you to let you know that you meet the requirements and tell you how to claim assistance. Drivers who can get this assistance should go to an Uber Clean Air approved dealer to see what is available.
What are the best Electrical PCO Vehicles available?
PCO drivers have to higher their knowledge in recognizing the best Executive PCO cars and best EV cars. In the following list we present 4 of the best options for drivers when considering purchasing an EV:
- Tesla Model 3
- Kia E-Niro
- KONA
- Leaf
If you are in London you can look at top 10 popular PCO cars in London and earn substantial income cooperating with car hire companies.
