REGISTER NOW The price point of Comfort Electric rides is usually something in between Uber Comfort and Uber Black, a spokesperson told TechCrunch. As a sweetener, Uber is offering riders a discount of up to 25% off for two Comfort Electric trips with the code GOELECTRIC from April 11-30. Getting drivers to switch to electric Uber says it has quadrupled the number of EV drivers on its platform over the past year, with around 38,000 monthly active EV drivers in the U.S., Canada and Europe recorded in Q3 2022 (Europe likely makes up a larger portion of drivers with EVs). But the company still has a ways to go until it can achieve 100% zero emissions rides. That goal is made more complicated by the fact that Uber’s drivers are independent contractors not employees, and therefore have to acquire EVs on their own dime. While federal EV tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act promise drivers up to $7,500 in rebates, most EVs, particularly luxury EVs, are still expensive. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of an EV at the end of 2022 was $61,488 compared to $49,507 for all passenger cars and trucks. Some drivers who buy higher-end vehicles are feeling the sting of high upfront cost and low earnings, especially after Uber this week disclosed CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s total compensation rose 22% last year to $24.3 million — broken down that’s $1 million base salary, around $14 million in stock awards, $6 million in option awards, a $2.9 million bonus and $170,000 in other compensation for personal travel and security. For its part, Uber has invested $800 million in resources to help drivers make the switch by 2025. The company offers drivers $1 per trip completed with an EV (capping out at $4,000), and drivers have said it makes a huge difference — especially when they purchase cheaper EVs and can see cost savings from not using gas. The company has also teamed up with TrueCar to give drivers perks worth up to $2,000. Drivers in certain markets can also rent or lease EVs at discounted rates from Hertz, Avis, Ford, Drive Sally, Hive, Zevvy and HyreCar. Uber also says drivers are eligible for discounts on EVgo charging and can get $100 off a Wallbox charger, and another $100 off installation. The company recently updated the driver app to show drivers where the nearest EV chargers are located. Topics