Uber's partnership with Arrival could be the key to electrifying its platform

May 27, 2021 | Case Study

As cities push to decarbonize urban environments, Uber's role in urban transportation poses a serious challenge. A growing body of evidence suggests that ride-hailing increases emissions compared to not only public transit but even conventional car ownership. Uber has set a target to electrify all vehicles providing rides on its platform by 2030 – a daunting task, considering that it does not own its vehicles. Uber's tumultuous relationship with London can trace its roots back to labor disputes and the impact on emissions in the city. As part of its electrification efforts, Uber recently announced a partnership with Arrival to develop an electric vehicle optimized for ride-hailing. The final design should be released before the end of 2021, with production beginning in 2023.