Uber Expands EV Service To Kolkata, To Offer Users On Demand Rides

Ride hailing major Uber has rolled out its electric vehicle service, Uber Green, in Kolkata, offering users on demand EV rides across the city.

With this, Uber becomes the second ride hailing service provider to offer EVs in the city after Snap E, another company operating with an all-EV fleet.

However, the company did not disclose details on the number of vehicles to be operating under Uber Green or its further expansion plans in the city.

“Enhancing the air quality in Kolkata is a shared duty we all must embrace. I commend Uber for introducing ‘Uber Green’ in Kolkata, a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in our city,” said West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty.

“This service allows residents to book zero-emission rides with ease through the Uber app, promoting sustainable travel across the city, including routes to and from Kolkata international airport,” Uber said in a statement.

In November 2023, the ride-booking service provider initially launched its electric vehicle service in Bengaluru, where the Karnataka information technology minister Priyank Kharge flagged off the first Uber Green vehicles from the Bengaluru Palace on the sidelines of the Bengaluru Tech Summit.

While its Indian rival Ola, in January, announced the launch of its ebike service in Delhi and Hyderabad, following its success in Bengaluru. The company also said that it will double down and expand the service across India by the end of this year.

The Adani Group, one of the biggest conglomerates in India, is also reportedly seeking for a strategic partnership with ride-hailing major Uber to roll out its electric passenger cars.

The multinational company submitted bids for 3,600 electric buses in government tenders. Partnering with Uber aligns with Adani’s $100 Bn investment plans spanning various industries, including the energy transition over the next decade.

The Uber Green initiative adds to the existing Uber Shuttle service it has launched in the city. Uber Shuttle operates in Kolkata under an MoU with the West Bengal government. The company conducted a pilot programme for Uber Shuttle in Delhi, which is active in service for riders since May.

Uber’s India arm saw its net loss widen over 58% to INR 311.3 Cr in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23) from INR 196.7 Cr in the previous fiscal, resulting from bloating costs.