Uber going electric in Vancouver, BC

[Snagglefoot]

Uber is transitioning to electric vehicles. Currently they have a Uber Green program where they hire drivers with a hybrid vehicles but they are pushing past that and want to go to EV’s. They are 25% there right now. Unfortunately, Tesla wants to pull out the driver seats in the future with Robo Taxis’. We’ll see.

 

[Torrid]

I thought Uber was just a sign up program and didn't have its own fleet. Does this mean they're specifically trying to recruit EV drivers? I know Hertz was renting a lot of Teslas to Uber drivers, but I wasn't sure if that was because Uber was supplying them or if the driver was the renter.

 

[DuckRyder]

I thought Uber was just a sign up program and didn't have its own fleet. Does this mean they're specifically trying to recruit EV drivers?

Right - That's my question are they incentivizing EV drivers or just not going to hire people without EVs?

Part 2 - Why does Uber care - if the customers get from point A - Point B and are happy with the service then that's all they should give a flip about IMO.

 

[fsdork]

....
Part 2 - Why does Uber care - if the customers get from point A - Point B and are happy with the service then that's all they should give a flip about IMO.

Why does Uber care about how favourably they are perceived by a city that places a high priority on being "green"? We could probably look at the fact that their existence in that locale depends upon licensing granted by that city, and go from there.

 

[ecotourist]

Why does Uber care

I can only speculate.

BC is a very environmentally concerned province. EVs are seen as environmentally friendly vehicles. Having all your drivers using EVs makes you appear to be an environmentally friendly organization. And appearing to be an environmentally friendly organization is good for business. So having all your drivers using EVs would be good for business.

A few sub reasons:

• EVs run at very low cost so there is less "we need more money" to cover expenses pressure.
• Electricity is relatively cheap in BC so much lower costs.
• Fuel is very expensive in Vancouver.
• Management may have personal environmental leanings and just want to do it.

BC does have a very high proportion of electricity provided from renewable sources.

 

[daves87rs]

EVs aren’t going to make them money- folks just wanna be picked up.

Pretty sure that would wear a regular person’s vehicle pretty quick….

 

[fsdork]

EVs aren’t going to make them money- folks just wanna be picked up.

Pretty sure that would wear a regular person’s vehicle pretty quick….

I wouldn't be so sure. If Uber adds a green leaf/thunderbolt icon to their list of filters and Lyft doesn't, I'm quite certain that could sway some consumers - particularly in Vancouver.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Maybe they might talk to Hertz first?

 

[ragtoplvr]

Uber is mostly short hops and is ideally suited for electrification. Lower cost is not always clear, given insurance costs, low resale value, tire cost and battery cost, assuming it does not break down. also some parking garage where pickup's occur will have to ban lithium battery vehicles due to potential fire risk and toxic fume management.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I think the bigger picture is being missed. If Uber drivers are subcontractors as Uber claims, how can they force their drivers to drive a particular form of vehicle?

 

[dubber09]

My guess is BC gov offered taxpayers money to Uber to push their (BC gov) agenda, Uber wants that money. Current BC gov is socialist.

 

[DuckRyder]

...they are perceived by a city that places a high priority on being "green"?

... That's what I thought...

 

[ecotourist]

Current BC gov is socialist.

Socialist no.

Left leaning yes, a bit.

 

[dubber09]

From Wiki:

 

[Tribol Knowledge]

I wouldn't be so sure. If Uber adds a green leaf/thunderbolt icon to their list of filters and Lyft doesn't, I'm quite certain that could sway some consumers - particularly in Vancouver.

I was in Vancouver recently and used Lyft several times. Judging from the stickers on the windshields, most drivers were using both Uber and Lyft to connect with passengers.

 

[Torrid]

I was in Vancouver recently and used Lyft several times. Judging from the stickers on the windshields, most drivers were using both Uber and Lyft to connect with passengers.

I've seen that a lot of places I've traveled to. I tend to use the Lyft app more often, but I do see both on many of them.

 

[fsdork]

I was in Vancouver recently and used Lyft several times. Judging from the stickers on the windshields, most drivers were using both Uber and Lyft to connect with passengers.

I'm not sure what that has to do with those companies looking for a competitive edge against each other, but... noted, I guess?

 

[ecotourist]

Some of the early Model Ss put on big miles as limos, running constantly and charging at a Supercharger occasionally. They had the advantage of lifetime free charging (but the disadvantage of only fair reliability). I've seen videos of some with 400,000 miles or more that still look and run very well. They've had a battery replacement or two and a few repairs along the way of course.

These Ubers will be recent Models 3s and Leafs I expect. Early Leafs wouldn't last very long as Taxi/Uber vehicles as their batteries never had that many charges before they would be down to a non useful range. And never had that much range to begin with. Model 3s should be more reliable than those old Model Ss.

Starting out with a used Model 3 or a used but recent Leaf might work out well financially. We'll see. Running costs will certainly favour them over ICEs but not necessarily over Hybrids. They'll have to plug in some time, but that should be okay for an Uber. Will the batteries (and motors) last long enough? Somebody has to find out. The battery on a Model 3 should last for 250,000 miles or so. Don't know about the motors.

Lots of Superchargers all over the Vancouver area and with reasonable rates. Not nearly as good as at home of course.

 

[Sedin26]

I doubt a Leaf would be in service long. Range and slow charging would make it unworkable.

 

[ecotourist]

I doubt a Leaf would be in service long. Range and slow charging would make it unworkable.

Ah yes the advantage of Superchargers. No waiting, all working, and (relatively) fast.

I don't know how many miles/kms a Uber Model 3 would put on during the day. But if it's more than you get with a full charge, there are lots of Superchargers all over greater Vancouver. And a Uber driver could be charging whenever waiting for their next call. The charging rate is very fast with a low battery too.

Another advantage of an EV is their low cost interior climate control while just sitting. Important in Vancouver where there are 6 months a year where a little interior heat would be nice. In the summer the air temperatures don't tend to get very high so you simply park in the shade whenever possible.