Uber to spend $100 million on charging for electric robotaxis
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Uber plans to invest $100 million on electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support its growing worldwide robotaxi business.
- At the same time, it's making it easier for Uber drivers to find EV charging by providing a financial backstop to network providers.
Why it matters: Uber says the efforts are intended to accelerate the company's vision for an autonomous and electric future.
The big picture: An onslaught of driverless Waymo and Tesla robotaxis is threatening Uber's core ride-hailing business.
- Its answer is to support a hybrid platform strategy — human drivers and robotaxi partners on the same network — and both fleets will require charging.
What they're saying: "Cities can only unlock the full promise of autonomy and electrification if the right charging infrastructure is built for scale. That infrastructure needs to work for today's drivers and the fleets of the future," Pradeep Parameswaran, global head of mobility at Uber, said in a statement.
Driving the news: Uber shared details of its two-pronged charging strategy on Wednesday.
First, it's spending $100 million to develop new fast-charging hubs at AV depots in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas, where robotaxis are cleaned, maintained and inspected by Uber.
- Other cities will have charging-equipped depots as Uber expands autonomous operations.
- As part of the investment, Uber also plans to open DC fast-charging "pit stops" for robotaxis at convenient locations throughout major cities.
- An Uber spokesperson couldn't say whether humans or robots will handle the task of plugging in robotaxis at these pit stops, or whether they'll be open to the public.
Second, Uber is guaranteeing minimum usage levels for charging networks like EVgo in exchange for a discount on charging for Uber drivers.
- The financial support helps shoulder the risk for companies to build new charging stations, which can cost around $100,000 each.
- Uber says its aims to unlock more than $100 million in new charging infrastructure — about 1,000 new chargers globally — in places where drivers need it most.
- Uber already has such a deal with Revel in New York, where its drivers get a 25% discount at Revel stations.
- With EVgo, it is providing guaranteed usage levels at stations in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston.
Between the lines: EVgo has seen increased demand from Uber and Lyft drivers in recent years, CEO Badar Khan tells Axios.
- A few years ago, about 10% of EVGo's network energy went to rideshare vehicles. Today, it's 25%, he says.
The bottom line: Uber is spending big to steer the market toward electric and autonomous vehicles.
