Major US ridesharing company Lyft, Inc. is announcing an ambitious commitment to reach 100% electric vehicles on the Lyft platform by 2030 as part of The Climate Group's global electric mobility initiative, EV100. Bringing on board one of the largest ride-sharing companies in North America marks a major step forward in the transition to clean transport and making electric vehicles the new normal globally.

Lyft is making the biggest EV100 vehicle-related electrification commitment under the EV100 initiative to date with an estimated more than 2 million vehicles over the next ten years that it will work with drivers to electrify. As life begins to return to normal in the US after the COVID-19 pandemic, electric vehicles offer a long-term solution to keeping air pollution down and  communities healthy.

Switching to EVs will provide direct economic benefits to rideshare drivers because of lower fuel and maintenance costs - an estimated up to $10 billion in savings for drivers from reduced vehicle operating expenses.

EV100 is an initiative by international non-profit The Climate Group, bringing together over 70 forward-looking companies committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and making electric transport the new normal by 2030. Other members include Lime, AstraZeneca, and Ingka Group (IKEA).

Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group, said: "It's exciting to see a commitment like this from a company like Lyft, showing that the sharing economy can also pursue ambitious climate targets. By working with drivers to electrify more than an estimated 2 million vehicles over the next ten years, Lyft is not only sending a clear signal to policy makers and manufacturers, but will also allow millions of passengers and drivers the chance to experience the benefits of clean transport. A ride-sharing platform such as Lyft making this commitment shows that electric can be the new normal."

"Now more than ever, we need to work together to create cleaner, healthier, and more equitable communities," said John Zimmer, Co-founder and President, Lyft. "Success breeds success, and if we do this right, it creates a path for others. By adopting our 100% EVs by 2030 commitment and joining EV100, we hope to inspire other rideshare and delivery companies, automakers and rental car companies to make this shift and provide the catalyst for transforming transportation as a whole."

Sam Arons, Director of Sustainability at Lyft said: "We're proudly joining EV100 to kick-start our commitment to 100% electric vehicles on the Lyft platform by 2030. The Climate Group's leadership in bringing together these forward-looking companies will help make electric transport the new normal within a decade. As we work to meet our goal, we'll be creating more equitable and healthier communities."

This news is another example of continued corporate commitment to climate action in the current climate. According to new data released by The Climate Group, 97% of business professionals say their long-term sustainability strategy remains unchanged despite COVID-19 challenges, while 80% say their company has been able to maintain their current climate actions during the crisis.

Lyft | http://lfyt.com

The Climate Group | https://www.theclimategroup.org