Many industry analysts were surprised after Uber signed a deal with Chinese electric-car manufacturer BYD to use its cars as leased taxi units within Chicago. Several reports claimed that Uber is planning to integrate electronic vehicles as its primary choice for mobile-based transportation network.
According to Reuters, several BYD electric vehicles were reported to have been circling around downtown Chicago. Additional reports confirmed that the dealer Green Wheels USA is offering Uber drivers to lease the BYD e6 electric vehicles for $200 per week without any down payment. Interested Uber drivers can use the four-door hatchback electric car during their shifts and leave it at the dealer store for it to be able to charge.
According to Car and Driver, the BYD e6 debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show to minimal critical support. Since 2012 several e6 test cars were spotted within the Chicago area. However, a test drive review from Cars.com gave it a failing grade citing the cars "crude" brake and steering system.
However, the one's being used by around 25 Uber drivers is a different yet almost identical model which was reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to have a drive range of around 127 miles on full charge. The EPA report added that the e6 has a gasoline mileage of around 63miles-per-gallon for combined driving. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not include the vehicle on the list of cars that has passed its crash test.
Despite these setback, BYD is still positive that it can garner enough traction within the US market and the deal with Uber will add hundreds of additional units if it is successful.
Albeit relatively unknown in the industry, BYD has already captured some major deal in the electric car industry. In Los Angeles, the company is preparing to release its 40-foot electric buses to be used in the cities metro district. A report from Car and Driver confirmed that 13 BYD buses is already used by Stanford University and the institution has orders 10 more units to be used as campus shuttles.