Uber Canada, the largest mobility platform in Canada and globally, and Wallbox, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management systems worldwide, announced a strategic alliance today to make the transition to EVs easier for rideshare drivers in Canada who use Uber.
The agreement offers Uber drivers a subsidized bundle for a Wallbox Pulsar Plus charger and installation. This reduction is in addition to any utility or government incentives or rebates.
Wallbox’s installation partner will assist drivers in navigating the EV installation process, which is especially beneficial for individuals who rent or reside in multi-dwelling apartments. easing the EV installation process and providing a consistent customer experience for Uber drivers.
Since over 80% of EV owners charge at homeaccording to Natural Resources Canada, the intent of this partnership is to provide drivers using Uber with an easy-to-use and affordable one-stop shop for home charging solutions. Charging at home can reduce the total cost of ownership by up to 25% depending on electricity prices of a province, time of day for charging, and the price of charging publicly in a province.
In Canada, the rollout is expected to follow three phases: the first covering Vancouver starting today, the second covering Toronto the first week of May, and the final phase covering the rest of the country by fall. This partnership first began in the Bay Area in October 2021 and quickly expanded across the US.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Uber Canada in the transition to electric transportation,” said Douglas Alfaro, General Manager for Wallbox North America. “We know 80% of charging happens at home, so simplifying home charging is essential if we want to accelerate the transition.”
“Helping drivers go electric is a critical part of our plan to become a fully-electric, zero-emissions platform in Canada,” said Laura Miller, Head of Policy and Communications for Uber Canada. “This partnership with Wallbox helps drivers by making it more affordable and accessible to charge their EVs.”
Wallbox’s worldwide best-selling charger, Pulsar Plus, became an Amazon U.S. Best Seller in just a few months. Pulsar Plus is one of the smallest smart home EV chargers in North America, and is compatible with all EVs, including Teslas, and can be installed in homes, apartments, and other multi-unit dwellings.
This partnership is another example of Uber Canada’s ongoing work to become a zero-emission platform in major cities in Canada by 2030. Earlier this year, Uber Canada announced a partnership withPlug’n Drive which provides drivers the opportunity to learn about the total cost of owning an EV and the benefits of making the switch from gas to electric.Last fall, Uber Canada also announced Uber+Transit as a pilot in the Greater Toronto Area. By looking at transit schedules and availability with UberX, Uber will suggest a combined route that’s both convenient and affordable.
About Wallbox Chargers
Wallbox is a global company, dedicated to changing the way the world uses energy in the electric vehicle industry. Wallbox creates smart charging systems that combine innovative technology with outstanding design and manage the communication between vehicle, grid, building, and charger. Wallbox offers a complete portfolio of charging and energy management solutions for residential, semi-public, and public use in more than 98 countries. Founded in 2015, with headquarters in Barcelona, Wallbox’s mission is to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles today to make more sustainable use of energy tomorrow. The company employs over 900 people in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. For additional information, please visitwww.wallbox.com.
About Uber Canada
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. Co-founded by Calgarian entrepreneur Garrett Camp, Uber started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 10 billion trips later, Uber is building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber and Uber Eats open up the world to new possibilities. For more information, visituber.com.
