Uber Is Preparing for a ‘Greener’ Business After the Pandemic
The ride-hail app set a goal to go entirely electric in major cities by 2030. Will it work?
Uber has promised to zero out its carbon emissions by 2040 and claims that 100% of rides will happen in electric vehicles within the next decade in cities within the U.S., Canada, and Europe. On Tuesday, the ride-hailing company announced these commitments in a “green recovery” initiative that also indicates the company is considering its future in a world less dependent on cars, something many cities have glimpsed over the past few months during the global pandemic. In June, Lyft likewise announced it would transition to a fleet of entirely electric vehicles by 2030.
The pledge comes as Uber is reeling from losses due to the effects of Covid-19 on its ride-hailing business. This, in addition to long-standing European and Canadian efforts to abolish traditional cars in favor of electric ones, likely galvanized Uber’s plan to become a carbon neutral company, the Verge noted.
The timing of the report coincides with real-world pilots of car-free urban centers where people can walk, exercise, and safely socialize throughout the pandemic. Over the summer, parts of Milan, Italy will be reconstructed to better accommodate bikers and pedestrians…
