Uber South Africa has officially rolled out its first fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), marking a major step towards the company’s goal of fully electric rides and deliveries globally by 2040.

The initiative began in Johannesburg, where 70 electric cars are now on the road. Uber plans to expand the fleet to 350 vehicles by the end of January. The Henrey Minicar 4-seater, imported from China, is being supplied by Valternative Energy in partnership with Uber Electric. Valternative also collaborates with Uber for electric motorbikes.

Valternative has developed South Africa’s first “swap-and-go” EV system, combining electric bikes, battery-swap stations, and battery subscription services. The system provides drivers with access to charging infrastructure while removing uncertainties related to fuel prices, providing stable earnings for drivers.

Deepesh Thomas, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa, said the initiative is expected to be hugely beneficial for drivers. “The drivers don’t have to buy a vehicle. They can rent the vehicle, have access to charging infrastructure, and focus on completing trips. Once scaled, the economics make a lot more sense than a typical internal combustion engine vehicle,” Thomas said.

He added that Uber Electric and Uber Moto will help address what he describes as South Africa’s “transport poverty,” giving drivers reliable access to vehicles and earnings without upfront costs.

Mohamed Jeewa, CEO of Valternative, explained that recruiting drivers posed challenges, particularly convincing them of the benefits of zero-cost EV operation. “Last-mile drivers live on tight budgets. Once we remove fuel costs and provide weekly payouts, drivers have financial stability and zero cash interference,” Jeewa said.

Globally, Uber now has over 200,000 EV drivers on its platform, reinforcing its commitment to a greener, fully electric future for ridesharing.

Reading This Now 64