Uber is to impose a 15p a mile “clean air” levy on passengers in London from early next year and is considering rolling out electric bike hire in the capital. The company said yesterday that the fund generated by the levy, to be imposed on all fares, would be used by drivers to upgrade to an electric car. It estimated that £200 million would be raised through the levy over the next few years to enable almost half its drivers to convert to zero-emission cars by 2021 and the entire fleet by 2025. Dara Khosrowshahi, the company’s chief executive, who was in London for the announcement, said that the plan was part of a long-term drive to eliminate private car ownership over the next 15
The ride-hailing company is to impose a levy of 15p ($0.19) per mile on trips in London to establish a fund that will give drivers up to £4,500 to upgrade to an electric vehicle. The “clean air” levy, the first of its kind for the company, will come into effect early next year. Uber is also considering offering electric bike hire in the city. The firm estimates that the levy will raise £200m over several years, enabling nearly 50% of its drivers to use zero-emission cars by 2021. The entire fleet could be converted to electric cars by 2025.