Uber Eats has teamed up with GOW, Portugal’s top electric bike rental company, to support the transition to more sustainable food deliveries in Portugal. This partnership, the first of its kind in Portugal between a delivery service and a zero-emission vehicle provider, offers couriers exclusive benefits such as discounts on electric bike rentals, insurance, and coverage for breakdowns.
“We are very proud to be the first digital platform to take this much-needed step in contributing to a more sustainable world,” said Diogo Aires Conceição, general manager at Uber Eats Portugal. “We are aware of the responsibility we have, and this collaboration reflects our commitment to promote more efficient mobility solutions, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and a brighter future for our country.”
Under this partnership, Uber Eats couriers in Portugal will now have access to GOW’s electric bikes at specially discounted rates, alongside benefits such as comprehensive insurance coverage and full support for maintenance and repairs in case of breakdowns.
“This initiative also translates into support for the couriers who work through the Uber Eats platform, by providing a more accessible option that brings them greater efficiency and flexibility,” added Conceição.
Uber Eats, GOW partnership addresses sustainability challenges in Portugal
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to promote more efficient mobility solutions, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and a brighter future for our country.”
The collaboration between Uber Eats and GOW is a strategic response to Uber Eats’ Delivery Sustainability Commitments. These include ensuring that by 2040, 100% of rides and deliveries globally will be conducted in zero-emission vehicles or through micromobility and public transit.
Additionally, by 2025, Uber Eats aims to transition 80% of restaurant orders across European and Asia Pacific cities from single-use plastics to reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging options.
It further follows a Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) study in collaboration with Uber conducted in 2023. Here, the main challenges and opportunities for couriers transitioning to electric transportation modes were identified and assessed.
The study pointed out the high initial costs associated with purchasing electric vehicles as a significant barrier and suggested that municipalities and civil society organizations partner to offer affordable electric vehicle rental programs financed by delivery platforms. Through this partnership, Uber Eats and GOW aim to encourage the transition to more sustainable food delivery services in Portugal.
“This partnership arises from the two companies’ shared vision of a more sustainable future for deliveries in urban centers in Portugal,” said GOW CEO Saul Moura. “By joining forces with Uber Eats, we are taking an important step towards reducing carbon emissions in the last mile delivery industry.”
Uber Eats has been transitioning to more sustainable food deliveries in other cities across Europe, as well. Late last year, the company partnered with UK electric bike rental service Zoomo to boost the use of light electric vehicles for food couriers in London.
