Addison Lee invests £160m with VW for all-electric fleet by 2023

Addison Lee is investing £160 million to ensure its 4,000 strong passenger car fleet is fully electric by 2023. The company will partner with Volkswagen to fulfil the largest UK purchase of electric vehicles (EV) by a private hire provider, saying this puts it two years ahead of any other large PHV operator in London.

The roll out will begin in November 2021, and from then, 200 fully electric vehicles will join the fleet every month, beginning with an initial order for 450 Volkswagen ID4s.

Addison Lee says the switch to EVs will eventually mean 20,000 zero emissions journeys each day in London. It already has over 650 zero-emission taxis in its fleet following the purchase of black taxi platform ComCab earlier this year.

In addition, the company is launching a Future of Mobility fund, providing £3.5 million to support drivers with charging infrastructure. The money will be used to invest in charging infrastructure and the fleet, support drivers with the cost of the Congestion Charge, and pay for projects that improve the environment in London such as its Green Screens initiative, installing pollution-absorbing plant walls in primary schools.

Liam Griffin, Addison Lee CEO (pictured above), stated: “London only has a future if it’s sustainable – reducing waste, conserving resources, keeping the air, water, and environment clean for all to enjoy. As a transport business, Addison Lee has a particular role to play in that future – and today’s announcement is a wholehearted acceptance of that.”

Griffin pointed to recent survey findings showing 86% of drivers said they would be keen to shift to an EV this year, with 82% citing improving the environment as the most significant benefit of shifting to EV.

“However, we also know that they have some anxieties about the switch. 70% feel that a lack of infrastructure is the biggest challenge when shifting to EV. With only just over 300 rapid chargers in London, the charging infrastructure to support this switch isn’t yet in place. That’s why we have been busy looking for EV charging partners to provide innovative solutions to meet our drivers’ needs, and we hope to be able to share information about those soon,” Griffin said.

Uber goes electric

Uber has committed to have an all-electric fleet in London by 2025. It is partnering with EV specialist Arrival to manufacture vehicles specifically designed for ride hailing, with input from Uber drivers. A final design is expected by the end of the year and the Arrival Car is expected to enter production in Q3 2023. Uber has introduced a surcharge for passengers to help its drivers switch to EVs in the coming years.

Tom Elvidge, SVP Arrival Mobility UK said: “We are confident that electrifying ride-hailing vehicles will have an outsized impact on cities, and we are keen to support drivers as they manage this transition. Arrival Car will be designed around drivers’ needs to create a vehicle that is affordable, durable and desirable. We have a great partnership with UPS to create a best-in-class electric delivery vehicle, and we hope to replicate that success with Uber as we develop the best possible product for ride hailing that elevates the experience of the passenger and improves drivers’ health, safety and finances.”

Jamie Heywood, Uber’s Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe said: “As our cities open up we have an opportunity to make sure that urban transport is cleaner than ever before. Uber is committed to helping every driver in London upgrade to an EV by 2025, and thanks to our Clean Air Plan more than £135m has been raised to support this ambition. Our focus is now on encouraging drivers to use this money to help them upgrade to an electric vehicle, and our partnership with Arrival will help us achieve this goal.”