Uber has unveiled a partnership with BYD to incorporate 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) from the Chinese automaker into its global fleet. As part of the deal, both companies will provide drivers with various incentives to transition to electric vehicles, such as discounts on maintenance, charging, financing, and leasing. This multi-year agreement will initially be implemented in Europe and Latin America, with plans to expand to the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand thereafter.
The announcement comes as EV sales around the world have slowed and Chinese car makers face higher import charges in places like the US and the European Union. The two firms said in a statement, "The companies aim to bring down the total cost of EV ownership for Uber drivers, accelerate the uptake of EVs on the Uber platform globally, and introduce millions of riders to greener rides".
They also said they will work to integrate BYD's self-driving technologies into Uber's platform. Earlier this year, Uber said it was working with Tesla to promote EV adoption among its drivers in the US and planned to develop a purpose-built EV with South Korean car giant Kia. The US, the European Union, and other major markets have recently hiked tariffs on China-made EVs to protect their car industries.
This development has led BYD and other Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to extend their production capabilities beyond China. In July, BYD secured a $1 billion (£780 million) agreement to establish a manufacturing plant in Turkey. The new facility is expected to produce up to 150,000 vehicles annually, as reported by the Turkish state news agency Anadolu. The plant is anticipated to generate approximately 5,000 jobs and begin production by late 2026.
Last month, BYD inaugurated its first electric vehicle (EV) factory in Southeast Asia, located in Thailand. This new plant will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles and is expected to create 10,000 jobs. Additionally, at the end of last year, BYD announced plans to establish its first passenger car factory in Europe, situated in Hungary, which is projected to generate thousands of jobs. The company has also revealed intentions to build a manufacturing facility in Mexico. Backed by seasoned U.S. investor Warren Buffett, BYD is the world's second-largest EV manufacturer, following Tesla.