Hyundai Motor Co. announced that it had signed a strategic partnership with Uber Technologies Inc. to advance Europe’s EV adoption. Last year, Uber shared that it would strengthen its zero-emission mobility platform, vowing to deliver sustainable and alternative transit solutions. Uber also said it would help thousands of drivers in the US, Canada, and Europe transition to EVs by 2025. Moreover, the ride-hailing company aims to make EVs exclusively generate 50% of its accumulated kilometers across the seven European capitals.
Promoting Green Rides
Following the pledge’s announcement, Hyundai and Uber collaborated to accelerate Europe’s mobility service electrification and increase its electric vehicle utilization. Under the deal, the South Korean automotive company would offer Uber’s partner drivers access to its IONIQ Electric and Kona Electric models at considerably discounted costs. Mainly, Hyundai would provide EVs to Uber apps in France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
“Through this partnership, we will utilize our leadership in electro-mobility to help Uber’s partner drivers make the switch to BEVs and help electrify their customers’ journeys in Europe,” said Michael Cole, Hyundai Motor Europe’s CEO. Cole also added that the agreement enables Hyundai to demonstrate IONIQ Electric and Kona Electric models’ benefits to more people. In addition to the electrification aid, Hyundai also actively supports major European cities’ decarbonization push.
As Uber’s EMEA Regional Manager stated, the cooperation enables partner drivers to shift to Hyundai’s advanced and affordable EVs seamlessly. The Hyundai partnership also highlights both companies’ driver and passenger-centric commitments and initiatives while continuously boosting the electric vehicle momentum. Uber officials predict that partner drivers who adopt Hyundai’s EVs would lead the mass market trends in the coming years.
Hyundai’s Electro-Mobility
On top of the IONIQ and Kona vehicles, Hyundai would supply future BEVs to Uber as part of the deal. Besides providing EV models to Uber app’s partner drivers, Hyundai would also establish numerous EV charging stations throughout Europe. Furthermore, Hyundai and Uber plan to set up marketing and education plans for EV usage promotion in the future. For this goal, the two companies would provide test drives to participating drivers, giving them first-hand zero-emission vehicle exposure.
Recently, Hyundai shared its plans to become one of the top three global EV manufacturers by 2025. To this end, it aims to produce 670,000 zero-emission vehicles per year using its electro-mobility leadership. Last month, the company said it would install E-pit stations or EV charging platforms in South Korea, building the domestic clean energy ecosystem. Additionally, in February, Hyundai introduced the IONIQ 5, its first BEV to apply the E-GMP.
