Driving down costs: Octopus Energy powers Uber drivers with free EV chargers and cheaper charging

• Octopus Energy, Uber and BYD partner to offer cheapest EV charging bundle for UK Uber drivers
• Octopus to install 1,000 free home chargers, with additional 8% off public charging through Octopus Electroverse
• EV charging bundle makes charging 10 times cheaper for Uber drivers than running a petrol car

London, 8th October 2024 – Three of the world’s leading clean energy tech companies – Octopus Energy, Uber and BYD – have come together to offer the UK’s cheapest EV charging bundle for Uber drivers to help accelerate the switch to electric vehicles.

The first of its kind partnership was announced today at Uber’s annual climate event, Go Get Zero. It will see Octopus Energy install up to 1,000 free home chargers* for UK Uber drivers who order any BYD car** and sign up to the UK’s leading EV specialist tariff - Intelligent Octopus Go.

Driving on Intelligent Octopus Go costs as little as 2p per mile for an average EV driver, making it roughly six times cheaper than running an old school petrol car. This provides significant savings in running costs, on top of the free charger. When taking into account the savings on charging and the free charger, it is 10 times cheaper for Uber drivers to charge an EV than to fuel a petrol car.

Participating Uber drivers will also benefit from an 8% discount on Octopus Electroverse - Octopus’ one card, one app charging service that has access to more than 850,000 chargers around the world.

BYD is now the world’s largest producer of EVs and offers a range of affordable, tech-packed cars for Uber drivers to complete their trips with zero emissions, helping to clean up UK roads.

All participating drivers will engage directly with Octopus Energy, ensuring their award-winning customer experience for charger delivery and tariff enrollment.

Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy, comments: “Octopus leads the way on EV charging and it’s exciting to partner with Uber and BYD to bring cheap, convenient, clean transport to thousands of Uber drivers and hundreds of thousands of riders. With Octopus’s smart charging technology, BYD’s outstanding cars and Uber’s leadership on green mobility, the unstoppable transport revolution is well and truly underway.”

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO said: "There are now over 180,000 EVs on Uber and drivers are going electric five times faster than the average motorist, but there’s much more to do. The new features and partnerships being announced today are designed to accelerate electrification and make sustainable choices easier for drivers, consumers, and merchants. Climate is a team sport and we all must double down on this work together.”

Uber will contact all existing UK drivers with details of how to sign up for the BYD and charger bundle ahead of its launch on 1st November.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

*One free Ohme ePod (untethered) charger and standard installation.

**BYD to be purchased through any channel or partner before 31 March 2025.

Press Contacts

Octopus Energy Group

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+44 (0)20 4530 8369

About Octopus Energy Group

Octopus Energy is a global clean energy tech business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting edge energy products to 8 million households globally. Its operations span 18 countries and the entire energy value chain. The group invests in, builds and flexibly manages renewable energy, operating a £7 billion portfolio of projects.

Octopus has licensed its advanced data and machine learning platform, Kraken, to support over 54 million customer accounts worldwide through licensing deals with companies such as EDF, E.ON and Origin Energy. Kraken enables Octopus to drive the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative cleantech. Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide.

For more information, check out our website.