VTC companies are taking steps towards decarbonising their activities, imposed by increasingly stringent environmental regulations from city councils. Low-emission zones (ZBE) in cities reduce pollution because they encourage renewal of the vehicle fleet, but a … Cabify’s study reveals that it does not reduce traffic or congestion levels. The estimated reduction in pollution in these zones ranges from 5% to 15%, but the impact on the city as a whole is much lower, which is why the study urges that ZBEs be supplemented with other measures that contribute to a more sustainable building goal. Mobility.
Hence, VTC companies, such as Spain’s Cabify, are betting on it, tripling the number of kilometers traveled by Zero-labeled cars (electric, hydrogen and hybrid cars) by three (210% more). Its new strategy sets a goal for 100% of trips to be in zero-emission vehicles in 2025 in Spain, and last year kilometers in ECO-branded cars increased by almost 40%, while at the same time they were reduced by 30% and were labeled It is graded as C, which is the lowest grade. In total, average CO2 emissions for the Cabify-connected fleet fell by 29% in one year, to 90.7 grams per kilometer travelled, compared to 117 grams. Of new vehicles registered in Spain. The company notes that “Cabify was able to reduce emissions despite the increase in the volume of trips, which reflects the efforts made in renewing vehicles towards more sustainable alternatives.”
Its main rival, Uber, claims to have doubled its Green fleet since it launched the service just over two years ago in Madrid. A few months ago, in October 2023, the service also arrived in Malaga. This is a method of application that allows customers to choose to travel in 100% electric cars for the same price. Currently, 40% of Uber Green trips are taken by international users, according to the company. Their short-term sustainability goals include completing 50% of kilometers traveled in seven European capitals with zero-emission vehicles by 2025. By 2030, they intend to become a zero-emissions platform in Europe, the United States and Canada. In 2040, the company wants 100% of trips in the 10,000 cities in which it is located to be by zero-emission cars.
The taxi sector also rose. For example, in the city of Madrid, 90% of the taxi fleet already carries the green or zero emissions label, also supported by municipal subsidies to achieve this change. “The average age of taxis in Madrid is only four years,” says Jesús Fernández, vice president of the Madrid Taxi Federation, explaining that the sector has clearly chosen “hybridization” to make taxis more efficient, which is “little.” “Little by little” the transition towards electricity will happen.
