Uber launches battery-swap mopeds and boosts EV charging in London

Uber is stepping up its efforts to electrify its courier and driver network. Later this year, the company will launch a new battery-swapping pilot in London for electric moped couriers, teaming up with global e-mobility provider Vmoto. This move is part of Uber Eats’ broader ambition to help 100,000 of its moped and motorbike couriers across Europe switch to electric vehicles by the end of the decade.

Through the new partnership, Uber and Vmoto will offer exclusive discounts on the upfront cost of electric mopeds, along with reduced maintenance and charging costs. These benefits are expected to save couriers in major European cities, such as London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Lisbon, Madrid, and Paris, hundreds of pounds or euros each.

The battery-swapping pilot launching in London this autumn is designed to eliminate downtime caused by charging. Instead of waiting to plug in, couriers will be able to swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones at dedicated stations. This is especially useful for those without access to home charging and is already a proven model in many of Uber Eats’ Asian markets. The London trial marks the first time this approach is being tested in the UK.

Vmoto’s president of strategy and business development, Graziano Milone, said: “We are proud to collaborate with a global and technology-driven partner like Uber on the development of such an ambitious project.

“Our commitment to the environment, to riders, and to their delivery work is embodied in our slogan — electrify your world — which is also our mission: to improve urban e-mobility by making it simpler, more sustainable, and more affordable, while enhancing the quality of work for many users by optimising efficiency.”

Beyond couriers, Uber is also expanding efforts to support its car drivers with better access to EV charging. In a newly announced collaboration with C40 Cities, Uber plans to improve home and neighbourhood charging availability in London, as well as in Boston and Phoenix in the United States.

As part of the initiative, Uber and C40 will collaborate to advocate for policy reforms that enhance the availability of residential charging infrastructure. They've also developed a new digital tool, the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Estimator (EVIE), which helps cities and utilities predict and plan for future charging demand, particularly from high-mileage Uber drivers.

The target is to reach at least 55,000 drivers across the three cities. Given that Uber drivers log three times more miles than the average private vehicle owner, expanding their access to charging could deliver a significant boost to local air quality.

Uber’s global head of sustainability, Rebecca Tinucci, said: “We’re proud to partner with C40 and city leaders to help unlock EV infrastructure where it is most needed. Reliable, accessible charging will help accelerate economic opportunity for thousands of drivers and create healthier communities in the process.”  

This isn’t Uber’s first foray into infrastructure investment. In 2022, the company committed £5 million to expand EV charging in three London boroughs—Newham, Brent, and Redbridge, by installing over 700 new chargers where driver demand was highest.

Just last year, Uber unveiled new perks to support driver electrification, including public charging discounts and free home chargers via a partnership with Octopus Energy.