Ride-sharing company Uber on Thursday announced a limited promotion of UberGreen in Cape Town.
Following a Johannesburg pilot of the service, Uber expanded to Cape Town.
“UberGreen is a pilot project that was available to Johannesburg riders from 9 May to 3 June 2016 and has now ended. The pilot will be available to Cape Town riders from 13 June to 18 July 2016,” said Samantha Allenberg, Uber communications manager for Africa.
The so-called green service offers riders the opportunity to be transported in BMW i3 electric vehicles.
Uber said 15 000 people took up the offer in Johannesburg, and travelling an aggregate 5 300km.
“UberGreen will charge the same fare as UberX in Cape Town,” Allenberg said.
BMW said it has sold 124 electric vehicles since the launch of the car in South Africa.
“In order for the momentum of electric mobility to increase, partnerships like the one with Uber are essential to expose more consumers to the viability of electric vehicles and alternative mobility options,” said Tim Abbott, MD of BMW Group South Africa.
Allenberg warned Uber subscribers that demand for the green service may be high.
“As this is a pilot, there are a limited number of BMW i3 electric vehicles operating on the Uber platform. Demand will be high so we ask that riders remain patient. We are looking to grow the pilot over time.”
