Kia gets its first customer for the PV5 modular electric vehicle: Uber

Kia and Uber have signed an memorandum of understanding to make use of the automaker’s newly introduced PBV modular electrical automobiles for ridehailing.

PBV, which stands for Platform Past Automobile, was launched throughout CES in Las Vegas as a household of EVs constructed on a versatile automobile structure, with totally different swappable physique varieties. The automobile may be remodeled from a minivan to a full-size van to a small truck, relying on the particular want. The driving force cab stays fastened whereas the remainder of the automobile is interchangeable, like a real-life Duplo set.

One of many potential variations is the PV5, a midsized electrical van that Kia says is designed for ridehailing, supply, and utilities. Uber desires so as to add the PV5 as an choice for its drivers, within the hopes of fulfilling its pledge to go all-electric in all markets by 2040.

Uber says the aim of the take care of Kia is “to determine optimum specs for PBV fashions, with the potential additional integration of know-how and companies to learn drivers and trip hailing customers alike.” The 2 corporations will work collectively on the creation of “proofs of idea, prototypes, and the manufacturing of PBVs tailor-made to the wants of drivers that use the Uber platform.”

Uber is underneath stress from governments all over the world to get extra of its drivers into EVs to scale back tailpipe air pollution and battle local weather change. After all, getting the lots of of hundreds of people that drive for Uber to modify to EVs might be no simple process. Ridehail drivers are categorized as unbiased contractors, and lots of use their private automobiles to drive for not only one however a number of gig financial system corporations. Uber can’t simply power all its drivers to make the change with out jeopardizing their standing as freelancers.

Conor Ferguson, a spokesperson for Uber, mentioned the corporate would have extra to say about financing the acquisition of Kia’s PBV automobiles nearer to when they’re out there.

At the moment, Uber works with automakers to supply drivers versatile leases on EVs and incentives like added bonuses on every journey they do in an electrical automobile. Uber says it has over 74,000 drivers utilizing electrical automobiles in North America and Europe.

Uber beforehand made a take care of UK-based startup Arrival to accumulate its EVs, however that firm is barely staying afloat today.