British electric vehicle maker, Arrival has signed a partnership with Uber to make EVs for use in ride hailing services. The EVs are planned to be ready for production by 2023, with design finalized before the year runs out. The two companies have invited Uber drivers to make input in the design process.
Uber is hoping to fulfil its pledge to be a fully electric vehicle operator in London by 2025. It has the same goal for North America and Europe by 2030 and globally by 2040.
The arrival electric car will be affordable and purposely built for ride-hailing and Uber is assisting their drivers in London to move to EVs by 2025.
Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional general manager for Northern and Eastern Europe said “As our cities open up we have an opportunity to make sure that urban transport is cleaner than ever before”.
“Uber is committed to helping every driver in London upgrade to an EV by 2025, and, thanks to our Clean Air Plan, more than £135 million has been raised to support this ambition. Our focus is now on encouraging drivers to use this money to help them upgrade to an electric vehicle, and our partnership with Arrival will help us achieve this goal.”
Arrival promises to bring its experience from working with other partners into this joint venture to ensure it is a success.
“We are confident that electrifying ride-hailing vehicles will have an outsized impact on cities, and we are keen to support drivers as they manage this transition,” said Tom Elvidge, senior vice president for mobility in the Arrival UK. “Arrival Car will be designed around drivers’ needs to create a vehicle that is affordable, durable and desirable. We have had great success working alongside key partners to create our best-in-class delivery van, and we hope to replicate that success with Uber as we develop the best possible product for ride-hailing that elevates the experience of the passenger and improves drivers’ health, safety and finances.”
We previously reported that Arrival has been working on an electric van for delivery runs.