Uber has officially introduced its first fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa, marking a significant step toward sustainable transportation in the region. The rollout began in Johannesburg, where 70 EVs are already operational. By the end of January, the fleet is expected to grow to 350 vehicles.
The vehicles in use are Henrey Minicar four-seaters, imported from China by Valternative Energy. Valternative has partnered with Uber Electric to bring this initiative to life and also collaborates with Uber on its electric motorbike program. The company is a pioneer in South Africa’s EV ecosystem, having developed the country’s first “swap-and-go” system for electric bikes, which integrates battery-swap stations and subscription-based battery services.
Valternative’s access to charging infrastructure plays a crucial role in the success of this project, eliminating concerns about rising fuel costs and providing drivers with predictable earnings. This initiative aligns with Uber’s global mission to achieve 100% zero-emission rides and deliveries by 2040. For commuters, Uber Electric will offer fares comparable to Uber Go, making it an affordable green alternative.
Speaking at the Johannesburg launch event, Deepesh Thomas, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized that Uber Electric will expand to multiple cities. He highlighted the benefits for drivers:
Drivers don’t need to purchase a vehicle—they can rent one. Through Valternative, they have access to charging infrastructure, and the vehicles are fully managed. This removes the financial burden of buying or financing an EV. Drivers simply focus on trips, and as the model scales, the economics become more favorable than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Thomas also noted that scaling Uber Electric and Uber Moto will help address South Africa’s “transport poverty,” providing affordable and sustainable mobility options.
Valternative CEO Mohamed Jeeva shared insights into the challenges of onboarding drivers:
It took time to change mindsets. Many drivers operate on extremely tight budgets, often starting their day with just enough cash for fuel. When that runs out, they stop working. Our system removes this cash-flow restriction. Drivers receive weekly payouts from Uber, and since they don’t need to buy fuel, there’s zero cash interference during the week.
Globally, Uber already has over 200,000 EV drivers on its platform, and this South African rollout represents a major milestone in the company’s sustainability journey.
