‘Green Mode’ EV option from Lyft

Rideshare operator Lyft has launched a “Green Mode” option for passengers to request an electric vehicle to ride in.

The company aims to introduce thousands of EVs to its platform this year as part of its environmental commitment and move to more sustainable transport.

All its EVs will be charged using renewable energy.

The Green Mode option has been introduced in Seattle and Atlanta this month and Lyft intends rolling the option out to other parts of the US.

EVs will also be available to drivers who haven’t got one through Lyft’s expansion of its Express Drive, a rental programme which allows those who don’t own a vehicle to earn with Lyft.

Unlimited charging will be included in the weekly rental rate during the initial Green Mode launch, with Lyft saying it expects drivers can save hundreds of dollars monthly and thousands of dollars annually on fuel costs alone using EVs.

Last year, Lyft became the first company of its kind to become carbon neutral.

“This year, we’re upping our commitment to the environment as the next step in our Green Cities Initiative,” it says.

Lyft also has electric scooters, but the company has no plans yet to venture into Australia and New Zealand.

However, Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk confirmed late last year that it will establish a car sharing and ride hailing service by the end of 2019 allowing Tesla vehicle owners to provide their cars when not using them.

It’s likely to be introduced here.