Uber is lagging far behind on a pledge made a year ago to electrify half its rides across seven European capitals.

T&E said Uber’s mixed progress to electrify demonstrates to leaders at COP26 why corporate pledges are no substitute for government action

The ride-hailing giant announced in September 2020 that it was working to provide electric vehicles for its drivers, ensuring 50% of its rides will be emission-free by 2025.

But less than 5% of kilometres driven on the platform are in fully electric vehicles, according to analysis by environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E).

And its data indicates that faster progress is being made in cities requiring companies to electrify than in those taking a more relaxed approach.

Lisbon, London and Amsterdam have the highest rates of electric rides on the Uber platform, between 6 and 9%, supported by electrification mandates and effective ultra low emissions zones.

But Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Brussels are lagging behind and in the latter two cities, where no regulatory push yet exists, it’s done little to progress.

T&E said Uber’s mixed progress to electrify demonstrates to leaders at COP26 why corporate pledges are no substitute for government action; if politicians don’t set ambitious targets, transport providers will be slow to go zero emission.

Saul Lopez, electric fleets programme manager at T&E, said: “Over a year after its big electric pledge, Uber’s progress looks bleak. This should serve as a lesson to leaders meeting in Glasgow. Corporate pledges are no substitute for governments at all levels taking measures to defend their citizens’ health and the climate.”

Uber data analysed by T&E also shows the average emissions of its trips have fallen by just 6%, to 97.2 gCO2/km, in 18 months.

T&E also revealed that Uber’s 2025 target is an aggregated percentage across the seven cities – so if London and Amsterdam both reach 100%, Brussels and Berlin can stay at zero.

To counter this, the campaign group urged city authorities to mandate all high-mileage fleets operating in urban areas to comprise zero-emission vehicles from 2025.

Infrastructure must also be a focus and both city and national governments should ensure that slow and affordable charge points are available near drivers’ homes, in combination with city fast-charging hubs.

Saul Lopez said: “Clear targets for having zero-emissions fleets will give transport operators and charging providers the certainty they need to invest.”