With over 100,000 PCO drivers needing to switch to electric over the next couple of years, Otto Car recently teamed up with like-minded companies in the capital to create a new EV charger request tool to help push forward real change in the industry.
Over two-thirds of Uber Partners and PCO drivers don’t have access to a driveway meaning it will a huge challenge to convert them from diesel, petrol, and hybrid to fully electric over the next decade. On top of this, London councils don’t have the right data and information to install new electric chargers in the right locations.
Through our collaboration with London’s largest charging company Ubitricity and The Camden Clean Air Initiative, we created the very first private hire-specific EV Charger Request Tool. By asking drivers to submit their basic info about their location, preferred car type, and weekly mileage, we’ve been able to work with local councils to install lamppost chargers in the right locations for those that need it most.
So far it’s been a huge success, with over 500 submissions and several local councils using the data provided to identify their next lamppost charger locations.
The results showed that the majority of PCO drivers didn’t have access to a charger at their homes and were keen to switch to EV if the infrastructure was available. It was no surprise to see the Kia E-Niro and Tesla Model 3 be the most popular fully electric PCO cars. With well over 200 miles range apiece, this is more than sufficient for the majority of Uber drivers and PCO drivers in London. PCO drivers were also keen on jumping straight to a fully electric PCO car rather than upgrading to a plug-in hybrid.
Electrifying London won’t be easy. Many hurdles need to be overcome and our collaboration with Ubitricity and The Camden Clean Air Initiative will help the private hire industry transition easier. When you also add the discounts available to Uber partners upgrading to electric with the Uber Clean Air Plan, we’re on the right path and taking charge.
#TakeCharge
Written by Richard Tester