The expansion comes as Uber seeks to maintain momentum in electrification despite changes to federal incentives and rising fuel costs. According to the company, the initiative is designed to lower the upfront cost barrier for drivers considering a switch to electric drivetrains.
The ‘Go Electric’ grant targets Platinum and Diamond-tier drivers who switch to an EV and complete 100 eligible trips by 31 December 2026. Applications open for processing from 16 April via the company’s platform. Until now, the scheme had been limited to a handful of US states, including New York City, California, Massachusetts and Colorado.
In addition to the grant, Uber has introduced further purchase incentives through partnerships with OEMs and marketplaces. Drivers can access discounts of $1,000 on the Kia Niro EV and EV6, and $1,500 on the Kia EV9. A separate $1,000 incentive is available for new or used EV purchases completed via TrueCar.
Uber reports that more than 286,000 electric vehicles are currently active on its platform globally, positioning it as one of the largest networks for zero-emission ride-hailing. The company added that drivers on its platform are transitioning to EVs at a rate up to five times higher than the average driver across the United States, Canada and Europe.
“Uber’s transition to electric is being driven by thousands of drivers making the switch, as the economics of owning an EV continue to improve,” said Andrew Cornelia, Global Head of Electrification & Sustainability at Uber. “We’ll keep doing our part by helping lower costs alongside our partners and working with charging companies and cities to improve access to high-quality infrastructure.”
The grant programme builds on Uber’s broader electrification strategy, which includes the rebranding of its ride option to ‘Uber Electric’ and ongoing partnerships across the EV and autonomous mobility ecosystem. For example, the ride-hailing company just recently invested in robotaxis from Rivian and signed a robotaxi deal with Amazon subsidiary Zoox.
“As this shift accelerates, it means more savings for drivers and cleaner air and cities for everyone,” Cornelia added.
