Uber has announced plans for half its rides in Europe to be done in electric vehicles by 2025 after signing a memorandum of understanding with Renault and Nissan.

The ambition covers seven European capitals – Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Lisbon, London, Madrid and Paris – and means customers will be able to select a zero-emission vehicle in cities representing 80% of Uber European business by the end of 2021.

It is estimated Uber’s EV commitment in Europe will save approximately 500,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and the MoU follows a successful pilot between Nissan and Uber in the UK.

Gilles Normand, SVP, Electric Vehicles & Mobility Services, Groupe Renault, said: “This MoU with Uber is an acknowledgement of our ability to conquest new markets and to support professionals in their energy transition.

“Today, we capitalise on our competitive advantage: an attractive EV-offer that contributes to large scale electric mobility roll-out.

“We have worked closely with local authorities over the past years to propose solutions to the growing challenges facing cities: transportation, decarbonisation and air quality.

“With the signature of this MoU we aim to join our forces to accelerate the movement.”

", said Gilles Normand, SVP, Electric Vehicles & Mobility Services, Groupe Renault.

Jordi Vila, divisional vice-president for sales and marketing at Nissan Europe, added: “By teaming up with Uber in the UK, we have already been able to increase the awareness and adoption of zero-emission vehicles, and we are looking forward to exploring how to roll that out further in Europe.”

Under the MoU, the companies will now explore how working together can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and the electric ecosystem in European cities, including efforts to:

• Offer partner drivers on the Uber App access to Renault and Nissan electric vehicles: Renault ZOE and Nissan Leaf and future new EVs from both companies.
• Extend the United Kingdom pilot into France by the end of 2020, with a view to scaling the program to the Netherlands, Portugal, and other markets.
• Launch joint marketing and education plans to promote the electric vehicle offers and benefits to Uber’s partner drivers and offer test drives to allow them to experience the cars.

William Todts, executive director of the European NGO Transport & Environment, which campaigned for Uber to electrify journeys, said: ““People across Europe are sick of pollution and congestion.

“Shared electric mobility is key to solving these problems. And the right place to start is with high-mileage drivers who'll benefit first from cheaper-to-run, clean electric vehicles.

“Uber's commitment to rapidly electrify its fleet in major European cities is good news.

“Now it's time for Europe's city mayors to show leadership.

“We need all big cities in Europe to introduce zero-emission zones, new pop-up bike lanes and cycle-only corridors, while also providing easy access to charging at home, at work and wherever people park."