US-based rideshare and rental company Lyft is committing to 100% EVs by 2030.
“COVID-19 has presented us with a unique challenge to rebuild our businesses and communities in ways that are better, cleaner and more sustainable for the future,” the company says.
“With transportation recently overtaking electricity as the single largest source of planet-disrupting greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in the US and the second-largest source in Canada, we believe now is the time for Lyft to lead a radical shift in strategy.”
Lyft says that in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund it will go all-electric on the Lyft platform by 2030, working with drivers to transition and avoid tens of millions of metric tons of GHG emissions and to reduce gasoline consumption by more than 3.7 billion litres during the next decade.
“Now more than ever, we need to work together to create cleaner, healthier, and more equitable communities,” Lyft president and co-founder John Zimmer says.
“If other rideshare and delivery companies, automakers and rental car companies make this shift, it can be the catalyst for transforming transportation as a whole.”
Switching to EVs is not just good for the planet; it’s good for people – riders, drivers, and the communities they serve, Lyft says.
It aims to drive industry, government and non-profit organisations towards helping overcome EV adoption barriers, including providing incentives.
Lyft adds that while upfront EV cost is higher than fossil fuel cars, EVs have lower fuel and maintenance costs that mean lower costs for drivers over the EV’s life.
“EV battery costs have already decreased nearly 90% since 2010, and we expect that by mid-decade, EVs will be more economical for rideshare drivers than gasoline cars.”
Last year, Lyft launched hundreds of EVs onto its platform through Express Drive in Seattle, Atlanta, and Denver.
Lyft says it will advance a policy roadmap and catalyse the development of tools to help drivers electrify, as described in its Path to Zero Emissions plan.
“And we’re also joining The Climate Group’s EV100 initiative to help kick-start our work.”
Visit lyftimpact.com/electric for more information.
