When Canadian businesses take concrete action to reduce emissions and contribute to a sustainable planet, they attract more investors, customers, and partners to catapult their growth. The commitment to net zero benefits a business’s bottom line – and it also benefits our economy. According to a Deloitte report, by investing in clean energy today, Canada can add CA$30 billion to its economy by 2070.
One sector that is stirring up extensive innovation and investment in cleantech is transportation. 31.4% of all carbon emissions produced in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) are from our travel activity. This week on the Board’s Climate Economy Spotlight Series, we look at how our member Uber Canada is advancing our climate goals with the help of partners across the transportation sector.
Uber is on a mission to be the most efficient, decarbonized, and multimodal platform in the world for on-demand mobility. With the goal of having 100% of rides take place in EVs by 2030 in Canadian cities with supportive policies, Uber is a strong partner for cleantech and transportation manufacturers and agencies to help advance the Toronto region’s climate economy and adoption of electric vehicles. Here's how they're doing it:
It starts with the driver. Uber Canada’s partnership with Plug’n Drive, a non-profit committed to accelerating EV adoption, offers webinars and hosts test-drive opportunities for drivers on the Uber platform. This partnership is giving drivers the opportunity to learn about the total cost of owning an EV and the benefits of moving from gas to electric.
One of the most important factors enabling the widespread adoption of electric vehicles is the deployment of charging infrastructure. Recognizing that over 80% of EV owners charge their vehicles at home, Uber’s partnership with Canadian cleantech company FLO, and U.S.-based Wallbox provides drivers using Uber discounts on purchasing and installing home charging solutions.
Uber Canada is also supporting the deployment of public infrastructure. Its partnership with Shell Recharge is bringing more charging stations to British Columbia in locations with high rideshare utilization. With learnings from this project, they hope to bring this to cities across the country.
Through a mix of incentives and partnerships with leading electric vehicle manufacturers in Canada, Uber is taking a leadership role in making the transition from gas to electric more affordable.
- Eligible Canadian drivers of fully electric vehicles can qualify for Uber’s Zero Emissions incentive, which provides an extra $1/trip for up to 4,000 trips, annually.
- General Motors offers discounts to drivers on Uber’s platform to purchase its electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt.
- Car rental company Hertz is making it easier for drivers on Uber to rent Teslas every week in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. The agreement aims to make up to 50,000 fully Teslas available for North American drivers using Uber to rent by 2023.
To learn more about the multi-trillion-dollar economic opportunity at the Toronto region’s doorstep, visit the Board’s Climate Economy Initiatives page and check out our infographic.
