BYD signs deal with Uber to deploy 100,000 EVs
The first markets will be Europe and Latin America, followed by the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There is no concrete timeline at this point, nor do the companies mention any particular models involved in the deal.
The partnership’s goal is “to offer best-in-class EV pricing and financing for Uber drivers” and to bring down the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles. To accelerate the switch, “the companies’ joint efforts may also include discounts on charging, vehicle maintenance, or insurance, as well as financing and lease offers, based on what works best for drivers in a given market.”
In Australia, BYD and Uber already offered special leasing and financing rates for 10,000 BYD Atto 3s last year. The goal was to also boot the used car market in Australia, as some units would be resold to private buyers after as little as 12 months.
Another aspect of the partnership is the collaboration on “future BYD autonomous-capable vehicles” that will be introduced on the Uber platform. Again, Uber does not mention a timetable, only that, “as the largest on-demand mobility and delivery platform in the world, Uber is well-positioned to bring autonomous vehicle technology to a global audience at scale.”
“We are elated to join forces with a global leader like Uber to not only accelerate the transition to electric vehicles but also to make green transportation accessible and affordable for everyone,” said Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas. “This collaboration marks a new era in the electrification of urban mobility, and we look forward to seeing our cutting-edge EVs become a common sight on the streets of cities worldwide.”
“As the largest global agreement of its kind, we’re thrilled about the benefits this partnership will deliver for drivers, riders, and cities,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. “When an Uber driver makes the switch to an EV, they can deliver up to four times the emissions benefits compared to a regular motorist, simply because they are on the road more.”
This is not the first deal Uber has signed with a carmaker. At the CES in January 2024, the mobility provider signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kia to work on specialised ‘Platform-Beyond-Vehicle’ models. As part of the deal, Kia wants to identify ride-hailing-specific options through Uber and may integrate new technologies and services, including battery-as-a-service models. Feasibility studies and prototypes may proceed with the production of dedicated Uber PBVs.
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