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Uber and BYD have announced a significant strategic partnership that will see the ride-hailing giant offer special pricing and financing deals for BYD’s electric cars in Europe and Latin America. This deal, which could potentially bring 100,000 BYD vehicles to Uber drivers, also includes plans to develop “autonomous-capable vehicles” for Uber’s platform.
The partnership is notable as it is the largest of its kind globally, according to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. Despite recent EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, the collaboration aims to innovate urban mobility with a focus on sustainability.
BYD, headquartered in Shenzhen, has emerged as a major player in the electric vehicle market, having outpaced Tesla in vehicle production for two consecutive years. The company is expanding its footprint internationally, including investments in overseas factories.
“We are thrilled about the benefits this partnership will deliver for drivers, riders, and cities,” Khosrowshahi said. BYD chairman and president Chuanfu Wang echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing greener transportation solutions.
The partnership will initially focus on Europe and Latin America, with plans to extend to the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. BYD aims to more than double its vehicle exports this year from the 240,000 cars it exported across 70 countries last year.
The release did not detail which specific BYD models will be included, but promotional materials featured the BYD Seal sedan, Seal U SUV, and Atto 3 SUV. These models are already listed on BYD’s European website.
In a related note, BYD previously developed the D1 electric car for Chinese ride-hailing operator Didi, which also operates in Brazil. Didi, which acquired Uber’s China business in 2016, is involved in a joint venture for electric robotaxi production with GAC Aion.
Despite BYD’s advancement in EV technology, a company spokesperson noted in April that fully autonomous driving remains a challenge and suggested that the technology is more applicable to manufacturing contexts.