Uber is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in South Africa with the launch of the electric-vehicle-only Uber Package service, previously known as Uber Connect.
Available in Cape Town first starting this December, the service will make use of battery-powered delivery scooters that will perform same-day pickup and deliveries within a single geographical area. The rollout will expand to Johannesburg in February 2024, MyBroadband reports.
These scooters will feature either a 1.5kWh or 4kWh battery pack, the former offering a driving range of 90km and top speed of 55km/h, and the latter a 110km range and 95km/h maximum speed.
To eliminate the need for lengthy charging cycles, the two-wheelers will have hot-swappable battery packs that will allow a rider to stop at a battery locker and swap out their depleted power unit for a fully-charged one in under a minute, which is even faster than refilling a petrol tank.
“The launch of the product is a key step in transitioning the Uber Package fleet to be fully electric by 2023 and in achieving Uber’s global target of becoming a zero-emission platform by 2040,” said Kagiso Khaole, general manager of Uber Sub-Saharan Africa.
Battery-swapping demonstration
Expanding in South Africa
On top of the eco-friendly initiative, Uber also announced a number of other services to be introduced to South Africans in different areas around the country.
This includes the launch of Uber Store Pick-Ups, which enables users to book a delivery person to collect any prepaid items from any store nationwide.
In addition, the company revealed that it is expanding Uber Van to Cape Town, its luxury rideshare offering Uber Black to Durban, and the addition of Reserve Airport Pickup for its UberX, Uber Comfort, and Uber XL rides across all regions.
Uber Eats, the ride-hailing service’s food delivery option, also took to the stage to introduce Uber Live, which is described as a “mobile ordering solution that puts the Uber Eats pick-up product into the hands of people when they are doing something they love.”
“Whether in an airport, sport stadium, concert venue, or music festival, Uber Live will help improve the consumers’ experience,” said Khaole.
This suggests that Uber Eats users will now be able to order from any location outside their homes.
Keyword: Uber launching first electric-vehicle service in South Africa – And expands other ride options to new areas