Uber to Deploy 25,000 Electric Vehicles in India as Part of Clean Car Initiative
- ByStartupStory | February 21, 2023
Uber is set to introduce 25,000 electric sedans manufactured by Tata Motors to its fleet in India, signaling the ride-sharing platform’s initial effort to incorporate environmentally-friendly vehicles in the region.
In India, the government is leading an initiative to electrify shared mobility platforms and public transportation, and Uber is joining the effort by introducing 25,000 electric sedans manufactured by Tata Motors to its fleet. Additionally, Uber has pledged to shift entirely to zero-emission vehicles, micro mobility, or public transit by 2040 worldwide. In the same vein, Uber’s rival Ola has announced its intention to roll out 10,000 EVs.
According to Suraj Ghosh, Director of Powertrain and Compliance Forecasts for South Asia at S&P Global Mobility, the emergence of all-electric ride-hailing platforms like Blu Smart and Lithium has compelled Uber to accelerate its transition to EVs. This shift not only helps Uber achieve its ESG goals but also leads to reduced CO2 emissions from vehicle exhausts, which is a win-win situation.
Uber India and South Asia President, Prabhjeet Singh, noted that the collaboration between Tata Motors and Uber signifies the most significant partnership yet between a ride-sharing platform and an automaker in India to incorporate electric vehicles. Ghosh also highlighted that the electrification of shared mobility platforms was expected to precede the widespread adoption of EVs by the personal vehicle segment. As such, Ghosh stated that the partnership agreement was both appropriate and timely.
Uber plans to launch the electric sedans in its premium segment and will initially deploy them in significant markets such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. India’s top electric car manufacturer, Tata Motors, will gradually deliver the e-sedans to Uber’s fleet partners, starting this month.
In July 2021, Tata Motors unveiled the “XPRES” label, which is designed exclusively for fleet customers, and its first vehicle under the brand was the XPRES-T EV. The model features two range options, with one offering 315 km and the other offering 277 km. The variants come with batteries of 26 kWh and 25.5 kWh, respectively, and can be recharged from 0-80% within 59 minutes and 110 minutes.
Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, expressed his enthusiasm for providing environmentally-friendly EV ride experiences to customers through Uber’s premium category service, stating that it would hasten the adoption of eco-friendly and hygienic personal ride-sharing.
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