To reduce air and sound pollution, Uber came up with an innovative solution as Uber Green, a fleet of electric vehicles in Kolkata.
Emission of green house gas is one of the major reasons behind climate change and heatwave. India emits approximately 2.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year, contributing around 7% of total global emissions. USA is holding the top position with 13% of CO2 emissions. Needless to say, summer 2024 has already made Indians’ lives unbearable. As Uber came up with Uber Green, we will discuss about the initiative, environmental impact and economic outlook of adopting Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The year 2023 was the hottest since global temperature records, which was started in 1850. The result of climate change and global warming is much more visible in 21st century. Extreme heatwave is often considered as silent killer. We, the humans are to blame for this heatwave. Above normal temperature has become a norm across India. To make the environment cleaner, Uber has initiated its flagship electric vehicle service Uber Green in Kolkata. This marks a remarkable step towards eco-friendly urban transportation. Meanwhile, this service was already available in Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Previously, Snap E was the only electric vehicle fleet in Kolkata.
The largest ridesharing company worldwide with more than 150 million monthly active users, has committed to achieve a zero-emissions mobility platform by 2030 in European and North American market. The company further aimed to achieve the same worldwide by 2040.
“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 an official statement.
However, the company did not share any details on the number of electric vehicles operational in Kolkata. The company also mentioned that the transition into choosing electric vehicles is faster than predicted.
West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said: “Enhancing the air quality in Kolkata is a shared duty we all must embrace. I commend Uber for introducing 'Uber Green' in Calcutta, a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in our city.”
You don't have to download any new app. If you are using Uber, Uber Green option will automatically come in your app. You can opt for this fleet from the next time.
“Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad are facing worsening heat stress due to rising relative humidity over the past two decades,” mentioned a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Thus, electric vehicles can be a game changer in two ways. EVs mitigate two biggest pollution sources: air and noise.
Compared to traditional vehicles burning fossil fuels, EVs don't produce tailpipe emissions, reducing harmful pollutants and improving public health. EVs to soon become more eco-friendly as it will use renewable energy sources including wind and solar.
EVs only produce sound from the tyres of the road, or wind resistance, reducing sound pollution significantly.
According to a 2024 study from Atlas Public Policy, conducted on behalf of NRDC, “owning a similarly sized electric version of the same type would always be cheaper.” However, cost of recharging and maintenance is a bit higher for EVs.
Indian government is introducing incentives along with attractive subsidies to promote the use of electric vehicles. As the world is slowly moving towards, EVs, it's always a smart decision to opt for electric vehicles.
Let's make our planet better place to live with sustainable options.
