Uber Guarantees Usage to Boost EV Chargers for Drivers

Ride-share drivers might soon find electric vehicle charging a lot easier, thanks to a creative new partnership that promises to put chargers exactly where they're needed most.

Uber announced Wednesday it will guarantee minimum usage for charging stations built in neighborhoods where its drivers live or frequently pick up passengers. The pledge removes a major financial risk for charging companies, who struggle to predict whether new stations will get enough use to turn a profit.

For drivers like Charles Iwuoha, a Queens-based Uber driver, better charging access means real money saved. He switched to a Kia EV9 last year and now spends $20 to $40 less per shift than when he drove a gas car. "New York rent is too high," he explained. "You're just scraping by."

Iwuoha represents a growing wave of electrification in ride-share. New York City alone has 13,000 electric Uber and Lyft drivers. These drivers use public chargers heavily, especially fast chargers that can top up a battery in 30 minutes.

Their charging fees have become a major driver of infrastructure growth. EVgo, the third-largest U.S. charging operator, reports that ride-share drivers now account for one quarter of all energy dispensed at its stations, up from just 10 percent in 2021.

The initiative aims to install 1,000 chargers across major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, London, Paris, and Madrid. All stations will be open to the public, helping urban renters and apartment dwellers who can't charge at home.

The Ripple Effect

The timing matters more than ever. U.S. charging infrastructure grew 30 percent last year to 70,000 ports, even as electric vehicle sales slumped after federal tax credits ended. Growth accelerated 44 percent in the final quarter alone, proving demand remains strong despite policy headwinds.

Uber's data gives charging companies something they've never had before: certainty about where drivers actually need power. "The biggest concern for every charge point operator is to identify the right location," explained Jeroen van Tilburg, CEO of Ionity, a European charging partner.

The company is also investing $100 million in charging hubs for autonomous electric vehicles, positioning itself as a partner rather than competitor to self-driving taxi services like Waymo.

For drivers, the math is simple. Used electric vehicles cost less than gas models and are cheaper to fuel and maintain. Uber sweetens the deal with $4,000 grants for drivers who complete at least 100 trips. New York regulations requiring all ride-share vehicles to be zero emission or handicapped accessible by 2030 add extra motivation.

This partnership proves that when companies align their business interests with driver needs and environmental goals, everyone can win.