Chinese automaker BYD and ride-hailing giant Uber have announced a multi-year partnership aimed at integrating 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) into the Uber platform globally.
This initiative will initially roll out in Europe and Latin America, with plans to expand to regions including the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The collaboration will offer drivers competitive pricing and financing options for BYD’s electric vehicles.
The past two years have seen high prices for electric cars and rising borrowing costs hinder EV adoption, stunting growth in demand. However, the pressing challenges of climate change and the necessity for reduced greenhouse gas emissions have spurred a global push toward electrification in transportation. 
To facilitate the transition to EVs, Uber and BYD plan to provide savings on vehicle maintenance, charging, financing, and leasing, depending on the market. “When an Uber driver makes the switch to an EV, they can deliver up to four times the emissions benefits compared to a regular motorist, simply because they are on the road more,” stated Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.
Additionally, the companies will work together to integrate BYD’s autonomous vehicle technology into the Uber platform.
In the U.S., Tesla is a competitor to BYD and is set to launch its own robotaxi vehicle in October, following a decline in EV sales in the first half of the year.
Last year, BYD surpassed Tesla as the largest electric vehicle manufacturer globally, though Tesla has since reclaimed its leading position.
To support its goal of achieving an emission-free fleet in all U.S. and Canadian cities by 2030, Uber announced earlier this year its collaboration with Tesla to promote EV usage among its drivers nationwide.
