Uber’s Comfort Electric is now available in 14 additional U.S. and Canada cities

Comfort Electric, Uber’s premium electric vehicle service, is being rolled out to 14 additional markets in the United States and Canada. Customers in 40 different regions across North America can now reserve a sleek, eco-friendly ride.

Luxury electric vehicles, including the Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, as well as the Polestar 2, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi e-Tron, Porsche Taycan, and Hyundai Ioniq, are all welcome.

Uber’s expansion is in accordance with the company’s long-term plan to transform itself into a pollution-free mobility platform across North America, Europe, and Australia by 2030. This objective is motivated in part by a 2021 California law that mandates the use of electric vehicles for all ride-hail services. In North America, only 4.1% of all trip miles have been driven by electric vehicles (luxury or otherwise). Uber did not share with what proportion of rides in California are taken by electric vehicles.

Uber claimed that the EV adoption rate among its drivers in the US increased when it partnered with Hertz to rent Teslas to drivers in over 30 US and Canadian markets. The business claims that approximately 50,000 people have used the program to rent a Tesla and have driven more than 24 million electric miles.

In January, Uber and Hertz expanded their agreement to Europe, with the goal of providing drivers in London, Paris, and Amsterdam with a total of 25,000 Tesla and Polestar vehicles by 2025.

Uber Green allows users to request rides in hybrids or less flashy electric vehicles, such as the common Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt.

Comfort Electric was first introduced by Uber in May 2022 in the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Dubai. Cities like Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minneapolis (MN), Montreal (QC), Nashville (TN), New Orleans (LA), Orlando (FL), Palm Springs (CA), Phoenix (AZ), Pittsburgh (PA), Salt Lake City (UT), and Tampa Bay (Canada).

A representative for Uber told that the Comfort Electric price range falls between the Uber Comfort and Uber Black fares. On April 11–30, using the promo code GOELECTRIC will get you up to 25% off of two Comfort Electric rides with Uber.

Increasing the number of electric vehicle users
With about 38,000 monthly active EV drivers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe recorded in Q3 2022, Uber claims to have doubled the number of EV drivers on its platform over the past year (Europe likely makes up a larger portion of drivers with EVs). The company has a ways to go, though, before it can offer rides with zero emissions in any scenario. The fact that Uber drivers are freelancers, not employees, makes it more difficult for them to afford to buy electric vehicles (EVs).

Most EVs, especially high-end EVs, remain pricey despite federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 under the Inflation Reduction Act. Kelley Blue Book estimates that the average cost of an EV will be $61,488 by the end of 2022, compared to $49,507 for all passenger cars and trucks.

Some drivers who invest in more expensive vehicles are feeling the pinch of high upfront costs and low earnings, especially in light of Uber’s recent disclosure that CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s total compensation rose 22% last year to $24.3 million, comprised of a $1 million base salary, approximately $14 million in stock awards, $6 million in option awards, a $2.9 million bonus, and a personal travel and security allowance of $170,000.

To help drivers navigate the transition, Uber has allocated $800 million in resources by 2025. Drivers have remarked that the company’s incentive of $1 for each trip completed with an EV (up to $4,000) is very helpful, especially when combined with the lower upfront costs of EVs and the long-term benefits from reduced gas consumption. Also, through a partnership with TrueCar, the company is able to provide drivers benefits of up to $2,000 In some areas, drivers can hire or lease electric vehicles at reduced prices from companies like Hertz, Avis, Ford, Drive Sally, Hive, Zevy, and HyreCar.

Uber also claims that drivers can save money on EVgo charging by receiving $100 off the purchase price of a Wallbox charger and another $100 off the cost of having it installed. The nearest electric vehicle (EV) chargers have been integrated into the company’s driver app as of late.