With millions of drivers worldwide, ride-hailing companies have a key role to play in accelerating the transition of our mobility system towards a greener future. With that in mind, Lyft has recently pledged that all of its vehicles will be 100 percent electric by 2030.
By working together with automakers and rental car companies, as well as the millions of independent contractors who drive for Lyft every year, the company believes that it can prevent “tens of millions of metric tons” of pollutants from entering the atmosphere.
“Now more than ever, we need to work together to create cleaner, healthier, and more equitable communities,” John Zimmer, co-founder, and president of Lyft, said in a statement. “Success breeds success, and if we do this right, it creates a path for others.”
And to encourage the uptake of EVs in the coming years, the company said it will negotiate with auto manufacturers for group discounts for drivers using its platforms, as well as influence them to increase the supply of affordable long-range EVs.
Through these efforts, Lyft hopes to reduce the cost of EVs, improve charging, and develop special promotions – thus making electric vehicles more attractive and affordable for drivers.
As it becomes ever more important for corporations, as well as all the other relevant stakeholders, to do their part in addressing climate change, let’s hope that Lyft’s initiative sets a standard for other leaders in the industry to follow suit. We wrote an article earlier this week about green infrastructure changes. This is just one example of one being introduced in cities around the globe.
