Uber Partners with Nissan to Fight Air Pollution

American ride-hailing company Uber has closed a deal with Nissan to improve air quality in London. In January 2019, Uber launched the Clean Air Plan, which involves completely transitioning to only electric vehicles (EVs) in the city by 2025. In line with the initiative, Uber has partnered with Nissan to provide 2,000 LEAF hatchbacks for London-based Uber drivers. Nissan’s managing director said that the Nissan LEAF, which can run up to 270 kilometers on a single charge, is the best vehicle to support Uber’s initiative. He also believes that the partnership is an effective way to strike a balance between increasing mobility and fighting air pollution in the world’s major cities. Under the agreement, Nissan will provide EVs to Uber at a discounted price. The manufacturer will also offer Uber a personalized EV education program to aid in the ride-hailing service’s transition. To help drivers cover the heavy cost of the transition, Uber is adding a Clean Air Fee to its fare. This fee is equivalent to 15 pence (19 cents) for every 1.6 kilometers. So far, the company has raised almost £80 million (around $104 million). It is expecting to reach more than £200 million (around $260 million) in the coming years. Currently, more than 500 Uber drivers are using zero-emission EVs. Uber also recorded around 900,000 EV trips booked in London during the Clean Air Plan’s first year. Aside from protecting the environment, the Clean Air Plan is also expected to help Uber drivers be more cost-effective in the long run. Uber estimates that switching to electric cars can save drivers up to £4,500 ($5,800).