Uber's move to go greener have meant some users have less green options. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Uber users choosing the "green" option for their ride might be used to the driver turning up in a trusty Toyota Prius.
But new standards the company introduced on Wednesday mean hybrid petrol-electric cars like the Prius no longer count as green rides - only fully-electric models qualify.
The move promises to help lower greenhouse gas emissions, but has led to people being unable to find an Uber Green.
It's part of the company's global goal of having zero tailpipe emissions by 2040.
That target includes Australia and New Zealand - but both countries have much lower EV uptake than other markets where Uber operates, said Ashleigh Cormack, the company's head of sustainability policy in Australasia.
"I think it's fair to say that when you look at EV uptake globally New Zealand and Australia aren't as far advanced as the EU and US markets," she said.
Cormack said Uber drivers like EVs, since their main weekly cost in a typical car currently is petrol.
But upfront cost is a barrier, with some models retailing for $60-70,000.
After offering drivers discounted fees for switching to EVs two years ago, Uber has now entered partnerships with two New Zealand companies - Mevo and GVI - offering drivers EV rentals and access to more affordable imported electric cars, with the option of finance.
"Currently EV kilometres in New Zealand on the Uber app are 5 percent, and the uptake of EVs is less than 2 percent for the average driver. We are at the point with 5 percent where we think we can launch a reliable product."
Uber user Brendan, a Wellington accountant, was pleased with the change.
He said he would not mind waiting a little longer for his ride, if it had lower emissions.
"I use it because I try and lessen my carbon footprint where I can. I think I've only had one full EV when I've been picked up by Uber Green and I'm now questioning in my head how green is that? So pushing towards full EV adoption, I'm all for."
The company had expected availability of green rides would drop, with the move away from using hybrids.
But several users on Thursday and Friday last week reported the green option was not available at all.
People using the app in both Auckland and Wellington reported the green option no longer showed up when they requested a ride, even from central city locations.
RNZ understands that if a green vehicle is not available in what the company deems a reasonable time, the option simply does not appear.
The company is planning that its moves to encourage drivers to go electric, will start to grow the EV pool.
Cormack said the hope was that drivers would see the benefit and would want to take advantage of an opportunity to access a ring-fenced group of customers.
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