If you’re an eco-friendly Uber rider who wants to keep tabs on your carbon footprint, there’s good news: you can now find out how much carbon dioxide you’ve saved by choosing the company’s electric or hybrid vehicle options.
In its effort to reinforce its commitment to the environment, Uber announced on Monday the launch of a new “Emission Savings” feature in its ridesharing app. This new tool allows passengers globally to track and learn more about the environmental impact of their rides.
To access this feature, simply head over to the Account section of the Uber app and tap on “Estimated CO2 saved.” This section will display the emissions you’ve avoided by opting for an Uber Green or Uber Comfort Electric vehicle. Additionally, a graphic will help you better understand this data by comparing your CO2 savings to everyday equivalents.
Uber has plans to expand this feature in the future, incorporating more transport options into the emissions savings calculation. This will include trips with UberX Share and rides booked through the app on e-bikes and e-scooters.
During a recent update to Uber’s Climate Assessment and Performance Report in November, the company disclosed that there were 74,000 zero-emission vehicles in operation across the U.S., Canada, and Europe by the third quarter. This number has almost doubled from the previous year. However, in the U.S. and Canada, zero-emission vehicles only accounted for 6.5% of Uber trips.
Uber has been working towards reducing pollution by cutting down on car ownership, though some studies have pointed out that the abundance of ridesharing vehicles might contribute to congestion and pollution in cities. The company, which is headquartered in San Francisco, set a goal four years ago to become a zero-emissions platform in the U.S., Canada, and European cities by 2030. Accelerating the shift to electric vehicles and hybrids will be a key part of reducing its carbon footprint.