Fossil fuel is formed from natural processes that involves millions of years.
Dead organisms living long ago experienced anaerobic decomposition, in which their organic molecules can release energy when combusted.
The amount of fossil fuel in this Earth is plenty, but humans are depleting it fast due to the enormous demand of petroleum, coal, and natural gas.
Because of its limited quantity, and the greenhouse effect it caused that is already melting the polar ice caps, an increasing number of companies are trying to shift away from using too much fossil fuel, and switch to greener energy, including solar and battery-powered energy sources.
And this includes Uber, the company best known for offering vehicles for hire, food delivery, package delivery, couriers, freight transportation
The company co-founded by Travis Kalanick, pledged to convert its fleet (cars, bikes and scooters) in the U.S., Canada and in European cities to fully electric by 2030.
On a post, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said:
With Uber partnering with many drivers and partners, switching to all-electric vehicles is a welcome move.
Climate experts call Uber's move as admirable, and that is particularly because it could spark wider change in the automotive industry.
Only 3% of all vehicles sold globally in 2019 were electric, and fewer than 2% of those were sold in the U.S., according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
But since batteries inside those electric vehicles that are typically Lithium-ion, are getting cheaper to make and more powerful, newer electric vehicle models should last longer on the road in a single charge.
And Uber here wants to be part of the more emissions-friendly company, which should be a big win for Earth.
"We’ve had a glimpse of what life could be like with less traffic and cleaner air—in cities built for people, not for cars," said Khosrowshahi, mentioning how the lockdowns amid 'COVID-19' coronavirus pandemic has replaced smog in big cities with clear blue skies.
The only downside of Uber in switching from fossil fuel-powered fleet to electric, is the fact that Uber doesn't own the vehicles. People who work for Uber as its drivers, aren't even considered its employees.
What this means, Uber in electrifying its fleet should first successfully convince those drivers who are often not-so-wealthy, to trade their car, or buy/lease a new one that is electric.
Electric cars in general are more expensive than its fossil fuel-drinking counterpart, and the brand and vehicle models are also much more limited.
Beyond dealing with the drivers, Uber also needs to deal with policymakers, and with the people who fund and build the charging infrastructure for the electric vehicles.
But regardless of those, there are reasons for drivers to go electric.
Those vehicles have far lesser parts, and are more easy on the maintenance because of that fact. Much inside electric vehicles don't require much day-to-day maintenance. The most attention that owners of electric cars should put, is to tire rotation, brake and brake fluid service, coolant, and battery care,
As for the motor that powers the wheels, it also contains far lesser moving parts if compared to the hundreds of working parts inside an internal combustion engine. The motor is also far superior in terms of reliability.
And when it does wear out eventually, the motor is relatively simple to replace.
And so do the batteries. As they wear out, they are also easier to replace.
The only disadvantage of electric vehicles, is their charging time, which no matter how fast the chargers can recharge the batteries, they won't be as fast as filling up fossil fuel inside an internal combustion engine car.
To entice drivers to switch, Uber said that it plans to expand Uber Green to make it easier for riders to choose to travel in hybrids or electric vehicles, spend $160 million annually until 2025 on incentives for drivers and other steps to fulfill this goal. Uber is also planning to give those drivers of electric cars, an extra $1 for every trip.
