Why PCO Drivers Must Consider Joining the Uber Green Program 2024

PCO driving, or on-demand driving, was already one of the popular careers people would choose in the UK because of a variety of benefits. However, with the current rise in the cost of living and ever-increasing inflation, more and more people are shifting to part-time or full-time PCO driving to make extra cash.

There are several popular ride-hailing platforms operating in the United Kingdom, like Bolt, Ola, Kapten, etc. However, they have no competition when it comes to the ride-hailing giant like Uber, which also operates in the UK.

Uber is arguably the biggest ride-hailing platform in the world and currently operates in over 72 countries. Uber has multiple programs under which it allows drivers to sign up and provide on-demand rides to customers. One of its recently launched programs is the Uber Green program. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about it and why PCO drivers can benefit from joining Uber Green.

Uber

Uber is one of the world’s largest transportation applications that allows passengers to book rides on demand and drivers to sign up, provide rides, and earn money. Uber hires drivers as independent contractors, meaning they are not company employees but are working to make money themselves and pay Uber a commission.

Uber was founded by Garett Camp and Travis Kalanick back in 2009 and has amassed 110 million active users worldwide. The company’s headquarters are located in San Francisco, United States.

How Uber Works

Uber links drivers to customers through their application that’s available on smartphones. Anyone who owns a car that fits Uber’s requirements and has a PHV license in the UK is eligible to sign up for Uber and offer rides to customers. Some of the requirements for Uber cars include:

At least 4 doors
Not older than 15 years
No visible physical damage
Well-maintained vehicles
Insured with the driver’s name on the insurance papers
No branding on the car except for Uber

Uber follows a dynamic pricing model for its customers as well as drivers. A customer can request a ride at an estimated rate depending on the destination, route, and time for the journey. In times of demand, Uber charges a peak surcharge from the customers because of high demand and low availability of drivers. Drivers are encouraged to use peak hours to make extra money. Holiday season, like around Christmas and New Year, is also when there are excess customers and fewer drivers available, resulting in drivers earning more money during this time period.

Company Growth

According to reports, Uber has captured over 69% of the consumer transportation market in the United States. It also leads the market share in the United Kingdom. As of now, Uber operates in 72 countries. The company has over 4 million registered drivers and registers approximately 50,000 new drivers every day worldwide, either full-time contractors or part-time contractors. Uber has also expanded its services in the food delivery business through Uber Eats.

Uber Green

Global warming, rise in the Earth’s temperature, climate change, air pollution, and more are some of the most pressing matters in current times. Every country’s government, as well as the corporate giants and big companies, are striving to undo these problems by reducing the carbon footprint we leave behind.

One of the major causes of pollution in the air and the release of carbon dioxide is the burning of fossil fuels like petrol and diesel in cars running on our roads. While the number of cars can not be reduced, the emissions can be controlled.

Uber Green is an initiative by Uber keeping in mind the increasing air pollution. Uber Green only onboards drivers that have completely electric cars. This is because electric cars don’t emit any carbon dioxide, and the batteries don’t make any noise while driving. Uber plans to have a completely electric fleet of cars in the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, and the United States by 2030. By 2040, they aim to have every single car in their fleet over the world to be electric. Uber Green is a program that was launched in line with this long-term vision, and by 2025, Uber plans to run only electric cars in London.

How Uber Green Works

Uber Green works exactly like the conventional rides in Uber except that only drivers with completely electric cars can accept Uber Green rides. The customers have an option on the app to call a diesel or petrol-powered car or an electric car. There’s no change of pricing, timing, or any other thing despite the electric cars being more comfortable and offering a better ride experience.

Customers are also made aware that choosing an Uber Green ride helps them reduce air and noise pollution in their city, which makes more and more people opt for Uber Green because there are no downsides to it.

Benefits of Driving an Electric Car and Joining Uber Green

There are a variety of benefits Uber Green drivers enjoy compared to conventional Uber drivers. Let’s take a look at them here:

1. More Rides

When choosing a ride on Uber’s smartphone application, the customers are given the option to either choose a ride that saves the environment or choose one that pollutes it. In times when everyone is aware of the problems like climate change and global warming, most people opt to get Uber Green rides.

Apart from that, another factor that plays a big role in Uber Green drivers getting more rides is the customer experience. Electric cars are relatively new, quiet, and more comfortable compared to older or petrol-driven cars. This makes the ride very smooth and calm.

2. Saves Fuel Costs

Inflation is on the rise, and in 2022, petrol and diesel prices in the United Kingdom reached record highs. Currently, petrol is priced at 150p per litre and is expected to rise further. Conventional cars usually consume a lot of petrol, especially if your car isn’t a hybrid or is an older model. This often results in an excessive amount of money going into getting your car refilled, resulting in less money you take home every day after your shift of driving for Uber.

Shifting to an electric car and signing up with Uber Green allows you to save fuel costs and increase your earnings. An electric car is completely powered by a battery and doesn’t require petrol or diesel. Moreover, charging your car’s battery is much more affordable compared to getting your tank refilled, and the electric car has a higher range on a full battery compared to a conventional car powered by petrol.

3. Exempt from Paying Fuel Benefit Charges

Drivers in the UK who drive petrol or diesel-powered cars need to pay fuel benefits charges based on the amount of fuel they use on average every month. Usually, PCO drivers drive around more than other people, which is why their fuel consumption is also higher. The higher the fuel consumption, the more fuel benefit charges you’ll need to pay.

Electricity is not considered road fuel by the government of the UK, which is why you won’t need to pay fuel benefit charges if you shift to an electric car and sign up with Uber Green. Apart from that, VAT on electricity is just 5% in the UK compared to 20% on petrol and diesel. You can save money by paying less VAT as well.

4. Exempt from Paying Road Taxes and Premium Tax

Based on the model of the car, the size of the engine, and the type of fuel it consumes, every person who owns or drives a car needs to pay a road tax in the United Kingdom. The tax amount can go up to hundreds of pounds depending on the car. Apart from that, car owners whose cars are worth more than £40,000 also need to pay premium tax. If you’re wondering if there’s a way to get exempt from paying these taxes, there is.

Electric cars are exempt from paying road taxes in the UK. This is because the government wants to encourage more and more people to shift to electric cars and reduce their carbon footprint. The government plans to exempt road tax on electric vehicles until at least 2025. Even after 2025, the government plans to charge less than conventional petrol and diesel-powered cars.

5. Exempt from Paying ULEZ Charges

Two of the most serious problems the world today faces are global warming and climate change. The city of London’s government has introduced an Ultra Low Emission Zone to address these issues and lessen our carbon footprint. In London, there is a region known as the ULEZ where drivers must pay a fee to enter. Originally, these fees or charges were determined by the make and model of the vehicle as well as the size of the engine. A petrol automobile with a 1.5L engine, for instance, will need to play a lesser charge than a diesel car with a 2.0L engine. Now, however, the government has set a fixed rate of £12.5 for each car. On the day of making the payment, a driver may enter the ULEZ as many times as they like. The ULEZ has been effective, and there has been a 20% decrease in emissions in the area. Due to this, the government intends to expand the area.

Due to zero carbon dioxide emissions, electric vehicles are exempt from paying this charge. The new ULEZ will include nearly all of London because the area is being expanded. You’ll have to pay £12.5 every day as a result. If you shift to an electric vehicle and sign up for Uber Green, you can save a lot of money on a daily basis and take home extra cash.

6. Exempt from Paying Congestion Charges

The UK government is focused on more than just carbon emissions. Another top priority for the authorities is to lessen noise pollution. Congestion zones were established by the government in London for this reason.

Congestion zones include the City of London, Waterloo, Bloomsbury, Victoria, Borough, St James’, Clerkenwell, Finsbury Marylebone, Mayfair, Holborn, Soho, and some of the busiest streets and locations in the city. A signage with the letter C on it designates the congestion zones. This sign shows the starting point and finishing point of a congestion zone and is placed on the roadside.

Congestion charges must be paid by any vehicle passing through this area between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays and 12 pm and 6 pm on weekends. Every vehicle must pay a set amount of £10 in congestion fees. After doing so, the driver can enter and exit the zone as many times as they wish throughout the day.

Congestion charge arrears can result in fines that can reach several hundred pounds. Due to the lack of toll booths or other physical collection units by the road at the entrance or departure of congestion zones, drivers sometimes forget to pay the required fee. The number plate of a car is scanned by cameras as it enters and is recorded in the database until the driver pays to have it removed. A driver has 24 hours from the time they reach the congestion zone to pay the toll without incurring any penalties.

Electric vehicles are exempt from paying congestion charges because the batteries these cars run on don’t produce any sound. This is also a way for the government to encourage people to shift to electric vehicles. Shift to an electric car, sign up for Uber Green, and save a lot of money every day.

If you’re planning to shift to an electric vehicle but don’t want to invest a lot of money into purchasing it, you can rent one now and start driving for Uber Green.

G&M Direct Hire is a trusted PCO car hire service in London. We offer electric cars for rent. Some of the electric cars in our fleet include Kia E-Niro, Volkswagen ID 3, Nissan Leaf, MG 5, and others. All of our cars are PHV registered and ready to be driven as PCO cars. We can also help you get your PCO license. Get in touch with us today for further details.