It’s now clear why Hertz is shopping for a so many Tesla vehicles. The firm is making as much as 50,000 Tesla EVs accessible for lease solely to Uber ridesharing drivers within the US beginning on November 1st. Workers in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, DC may have the choice of paying $334 per week (ultimately dropping to $299 “or lower”) for a bundle that features a Model 3, insurance coverage and upkeep.

Drivers will initially want a minimum of a 4.7-star score and 150 journeys to be eligible. The program will broaden throughout the nation within the “following weeks.”

The firm noticed the Hertz deal as useful for each the atmosphere and, doubtlessly, drivers’ financial institution accounts. It ought to cut back automobile emissions and expose many individuals to EVs for the primary time, Uber mentioned. However, it might additionally decrease some operating prices. Drivers will not need to pay for gas, in spite of everything, and Uber has incentive applications that provide extra money per journey (as much as $1.50, if it is an Uber Green experience) to EV operators.

Uber has sturdy motivations to undertake EVs. They might assist the corporate attain its objective of zero emissions by 2040, and should sort out complaints that ridesharing makes CO2 emissions worse. The agency might burnish its picture with eco-friendly vehicles roaming the streets. Even so, it is a huge deal each for curbing car-based emissions and for EV adoption — 50,000 vehicles is a big chunk of Tesla’s manufacturing, and certain one of many largest single-customer EV purchases thus far.