Partnership between Uber and Pod promises low-cost home EV charging for drivers

Uber and Pod announce the installation of home chargers at no initial cost for drivers, with a reduced monthly subscription and cashback per mile.

Summary of the Pod and Uber partnership

Pod, a provider of charging solutions for electric vehicles, has entered into a partnership with Uber to offer drivers the installation of home charging at no upfront cost.

Uber drivers will be able to access Pod Drive, Pod's home charging subscription, with a lower monthly price and no initial payment. The cost will be £25 per month for three years, compared to the usual £40 per month, according to Pod.

The subscription also includes participation in smart charging with financial rewards. Pod Drive offers 2.3p cashback per mile up to 7,500 miles/year, which can equate to up to £170/year for drivers, according to the company.

According to Debbie Foley, Chief Revenue Officer at Pod, this partnership with Uber makes daily EV use easier. Pod has also recently partnered with Salsac, a salary sacrifice specialist, to offer home charging through that scheme in the UK.

For Uber, the company is expanding the 100% electric option, Uber Electric, to eight new cities, allowing users to choose an EV when booking. The service was rebranded as Uber Green last year as part of its effort to expand the electric fleet.

Andrew Brem, Uber's General Manager for the UK, states: Electricity is clearly better for passengers, drivers and cities, but access to charging is the biggest barrier for drivers thinking about switching to an EV. Uber is helping to unlock more charging infrastructure across the UK, making charging easier and reducing costs for drivers.

This news comes shortly after Uber announced global plans to support its drivers' charging. The platform has struck deals with charging point operators in the US, Europe, and the UK to facilitate charging.

Operators will build more public charging points in areas where Uber drivers live and often frequent, in exchange for usage guarantees; Uber will pay penalties to operators who do not reach minimum usage levels at chargers built under the agreement.

Furthermore, a 12-month pilot was recently launched in the North West of England with CPO Be.EV to offer discounted rates, lower overnight pricing, and reduced off-peak rates for Uber drivers' EVs.

Who wrote this: Molly, Senior Reporter at Informa, who tracks the policy, investment, and energy ecosystem.

Comment: What do you think of this partnership? Would you sign up for Pod Drive for £25/month to get home charging? Let us know in the comments how this impacts your expectations for driving an EV.