Uber is rolling out its electric vehicle (EV) incentive program nationwide, following a successful pilot in select cities last year. The initiative offers a grant of $4,000 to eligible drivers wishing to switch to an EV, applicable for both new and used vehicles.
This program is specifically available to Platinum and Diamond drivers who complete 100 qualifying rides by the end of the year. Applications can be submitted starting April 16 through the Uber platform. In addition to the primary grant, drivers purchasing an EV through TrueCar can receive a $1,000 discount, while Kia offers further savings of $1,000 on the Niro or EV6 models and $1,500 off the EV9 SUV.
Despite these incentives, the total savings do not reach the previously available federal tax credit of $7,500, which was eliminated under President Trump’s policies. Research shows that full-time Uber drivers earn an average of $42,000 annually, raising concerns about the affordability of purchasing an EV.
Currently, there are over 286,000 EVs utilized by Uber drivers globally, with the company noting a higher adoption rate of EVs among its drivers compared to typical car owners in regions including the US, Canada, and Europe.