Uber to import EVs into Australia to plug the used-car gap

Uber in Australia are partnering with a car dealership to offer their drivers access to second-hand electric vehicles at much more affordable rates much more affordable than those generally available.

The arrangement will see Car Empire – specialists in pre-owned, high-quality electric vehicles – importing second hand Nissan Leafs from Japan, which will be made available to Uber drivers with financing options beginning at around $124 (£63.30) per week.

While EVs make up 8.5% of Australia’s new car sales, only 0.6% of the second hand cars sold in the country are electric. The new initiative will enable Uber to put less expensive EVs with the reach of drivers based around Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Emma Foley, Managing Director of Uber Australia and New Zealand said: ‘For the past several years, we’ve been investing in a range of programs to lower the costs for drivers to transition to electric vehicles, but we’ve always believed a thriving second hand EV marketplace would be a key catalyst to accelerate adoption across our platform. We’re thrilled to have found a partner in Car Empire, who is helping us bring this vision to life.’

David Cosgrove, Director of Car Empire said: ‘The Australian market for used electric vehicles is currently quite limited. However, Car Empire, through strategic partnerships, has the unique capability to access a substantial volume of quality used EVs in Japan and import them into Australia. This not only provides consumers with a broader selection but also contributes positively to reducing emissions across the country.’

Uber has committed to eliminating vehicle emissions across its platform by 2040 and their drivers are transitioning to emission-free cars five times faster than private car owners, but surveys show the price of EVs and availability of financing remain barriers to switching. This has led Uber to launch a number of schemes to accelerate EV adoption among their drivers.

Last week they announced a strategic partnership designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform, enabling their drivers to access the best pricing and financing deals available for the marque. The scheme will launch in Europe and Latin America, before expanding across the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.