Uber drivers across Europe are to be offered Kia electric vehicles at a discounted rate, helping them upgrade to an EV.

Kia will offer its high-tech range of EVs including the e-Niro and e-Soul to Uber drivers in Europe at a discounted rate

The tie-up between the two firms could potentially see 30,000 Uber drivers switch to EVs, including the e-Niro and e-Soul. The vehicles will be offered in 20 European markets, supported by joint marketing and educational campaigns and test drives.

It’s part of Uber’s plans to dramatically cut its carbon emissions – the ride-hailing giant plans to become a zero-emission mobility platform across Europe by 2030.

It has an interim target of having more than 100,000 fully electric vehicles across its European platform by 2025, with plans for half of the rides driven in seven European capitals – including Paris, Berlin and London – to be in zero-emission vehicles by that time. Uber has also set out plans to become a fully electric mobility platform globally by 2040.

The new deal with Kia will support this; Uber has already entered into similar partnerships with Nissan and Hyundai.

Uber will also continue the expansion of its Uber Green service – where riders can request a lower emission vehicle – to 60 cities by the end of 2021.

Anabel Diaz, regional general manager for EMEA at Uber, said: “We’re proud to be working with Kia to make sure drivers across Europe have access to best-in-class electric vehicles at an affordable price. Zero-emissions mobility is more than just an aim for us – it’s a necessity. As Europe continues to reopen, we are committed to playing our part in cleaning up urban transport, so this partnership is crucial in our efforts to advance the electrification of our platform across Europe by 2030.”