Ride-Hailing Giants Lag Behind on Electric Vehicle Commitments
Ride-hailing companies, globally, are facing challenges in fulfilling their ambitious electric vehicle (EV) goals. Despite public pledges to transition to zero-emission fleets, significant hurdles persist. This struggle is indicative of a broader trend within the transportation sector, especially in emerging markets, where infrastructure and financial considerations play a major role in the adoption of electric vehicles.
EV Adoption Slows Among Ride-Hailing Leaders
Uber, a global leader in ride-hailing, established a target in 2020 to have all rides and deliveries operating without emissions by 2040. However, as of 2025, EV adoption among its extensive driver network remains limited, with only a small fraction of its 7.1 million drivers utilizing green vehicles. Similarly, Grab, the dominant ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia, aims for carbon neutrality by 2040. Grab reported that 7% of its rides and deliveries last year utilized low or zero-emission transportation methods, including EVs, hybrid vehicles, and even cycling and walking. While exact figures on EV presence within the fleets of Uber, Lyft, and Grab are not openly available, research indicates that EV penetration globally is less than 1% across these major platforms, according to research and advisory firm Gartner. This slow transition highlights the complexities of scaling EV integration, especially across diverse markets with varying levels of infrastructure development. In an African context, challenges such as limited charging infrastructure, the higher initial cost of EVs, and the availability of government incentives could hinder quicker adoption rates.
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