UK GREEN PLEDGE - Free Now
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UK GREEN PLEDGE
Contents 04 Foreword 06 Guilt free travel 08 FREE NOW’s pledge to you 14 How do we get from A to B? 16 The road to 2025 24 Working together 26 Driver Support 28 Making better use of infrastructure 30 Charging 32 Vehicle Supply 34 Endorsements
Although we are already the While it is too early to draw too many
Foreword by leaders in terms of the number
of EVs on the platform, we want
conclusions about the pandemic and its
long-term impacts, scientific and medical
reporting (including a study by Harvard
to go further. University School of Public Health)
highlights that there is a link between air
It is our ambition and our commitment to quality, respiratory conditions and the
Mariusz
the cities where we operate, to do our severity of COVID-19 infections.
bit to reduce emissions, make it easier for
people to make environmentally friendly If further scientific study supports these
choices and encourage passengers to initial findings, then this will only create
Zabrocki
replace the use of privately owned more urgency around the shift to greener
vehicles with a broad selection of shared vehicles and better transport networks.
and public transport options. Not to mention the improvements we
have all seen as a result of the first
We are already on this journey as we are lockdown, being able to see the skies
UK General Manager the first app to offer both black cabs and above us more clearly and reductions of
private hire vehicles (PHV) in one app in almost 50% in the daily average of
the capital, giving passengers access to nitrogen dioxide levels in places such
the largest fleet in the UK and the largest as Oxford Street. It was a glimpse into the
electric fleet in Europe. future where all cars in the UK are electric.
Here at FREE NOW, we are witnessing first hand We are also partnering with some of the On the following pages, we pledge to
how London’s ride-hailing industry is rapidly e-scooter operators that participate in shift to a fleet which is fully zero-emission
changing. Encouraged by Government policy London tender, and as soon as one or capable vehicles as fast as possible
and TfL regulations, taxi and private hire vehicle more of them are approved by TfL, we considering car supply limitations,
(PHV) drivers are embracing zero-emission intend to add a micromobility option charging infrastructure and available
capable vehicles (ZEC) vehicles in their not only in the capital, but also in other resources. We present what, when and
thousands. cities where we operate. Our partners are how we will do to achieve that goal over
Already, over 50% of our taxi rides are among the most responsible players in the next four to five years.
completed in ZEC taxis. We are proud the space that refined their technology
With a ban on new petrol and diesel cars from to reduce waste, increase longevity and This is only the start. We will push
2030 and the introduction of new green number to be the only ride-hailing app to offer improve safety of their e-scooters. ourselves, the taxi and private hire
plates to raise awareness of the growing numbers electric vehicle (EV) booking options, industry, regulators, businesses, the
of cleaner vehicles on the road, it is clear that the both PHV and black cab, to enable The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the Government and our passengers to do
UK means business when it comes to improving
air quality and embracing new technology.
passengers to choose more world upside down. In purely economic better and help cities thrive, to move
terms, the crisis has been extremely more freely and to be better places to be.
But change is not happening soon enough and environmentally friendly vehicles
damaging for the ride-hailing industry and This Pledge outlines our ambitions, not
in order for children to breathe cleaner air whenever they travel. we have been working with drivers to offer for tomorrow, not for the next ten years,
and to reduce congestion; the industry, the our support. but for right here and right now, so that
Government and the public need to move faster.
together, we can all enjoy where we live 04.
a little bit more.
Guilt free tavel
60%
of people say they would use Our survey found that 30%
the most sustainable option of people believe they are now
available to them on a ride more environmentally conscious
hailing app. as a resultof the 2020 pandemic.
This option to book an electric vehicle with FREE
NOW allows consumers and businesses to make
The impact of COVID this year has been It shows a deep desire from consumers to
more considered choices when travelling in and
felt across the UK. It has allowed people make a difference now, rather than being
around cities in the UK.
to spend more time assessing the satisfied with offsetting for the future
individual choices we make and start alone. If anything, 2020 has taught us
Perhaps unsurprisingly, 41 per cent of people say
paying more attention to the environment that we don’t have as much time as we
they would choose a brand that helps them make
around us. think and so making changes now,
more sustainable choices, but over half of
however small, are vital in making
consumers surveyed agreed that, when it comes
Attitudes have changed, and we recently a difference to our planet.
to environmental impact, they want guilt free
commissioned some consumer research
travel choices that require very little personal
of 2,000 UK adults to see how people’s With the largest electric fleet in Europe
effort:
attitudes are changing. and the largest green fleet of black cabs
in London, we are already leading the
In addition, over half of people have sector in terms of greener travel and there We need to work together to make
consciously tried to reduce their is a clear appetite for this.
environmental impact through transport
it easy for people to make the right
modes whether that be walking more choices.
or using public transport.
06.
FREE NOW’s pledge to you In addition to focusing our efforts on
reducing greenhouse gas emissions per
passenger kilometre as much as possible,
in the meantime, we will offset all
We pledge that all vehicles on remaining emissions from 2020 onwards.
FREE NOW in the UK will be
electric by 2025, including all
taxis by 2024.
Across Europe, 100%
of our trips will be zero
emission by 2030 in all
key European cities. This will focus among others on
preservation and regeneration of forests,
including local planting ofmore than
20,000 trees across European cities.
08.
FREE NOW’s pledge to you
We have already taken some bold action During the pandemic, we have been For FREE NOW, offsetting
this year, from bringing black cabs and supporting drivers and creating innovative
PHVs together under one platform, ways of helping them continue to make emissions is not the end goal, but
offering the largest electric fleet in
Europe, to expanding our micromobility
a living during the first lockdown, from
transporting front line workers to an interim solution while we focus
offerings across Europe. We are pushing
ourselves, our developers and our markets
delivering food to those that need it.
on delivering our Pledge.
to make a truly connected transport Now, as so much uncertainty continues to
network a reality. loom across the world in terms of COVID,
we are focusing on what we can control.
And pushing ourselves to be bold, to go
We are the first mobility platform
further and to play our part in cleaning
up the environment.
to become net-zero in Europe by
2030, we will continue to lead
the way.
With FREE NOW you can offset
for the future and also make
a real difference right now.
02.
Where are we coming from? 50%
80%
This announcement follows a series of strides we 2018 2019 2020
at FREE NOW have already taken and progress of all electric taxis in London are Share of EV rides among taxi rides -
available on the FREENOW app showing increase in volume over
we have already made over the last months: the last 3 years
100%
£10K
80%
In November 2019 we introduced the Since September 2020, we have 60%
first EV fleet of private hire vehicles been the first large player in 40%
in the UK under the brand of Kapten, the UK, to complete more than 20%
until today, we remain the only player 50% of all taxi rides in electric
in the UK to offer EV options both for vehicles. Price Battery Lack of
taxi and PHV. of vehicles range charging Average gap between
infrastructure EV and ICE PHV price
Since October 2020, we have placed Almost 15% of PHV rides happen
on-car advertising only on EV taxis in electric vehicles, while this is
47teres
In
to increase awareness of the EV a much lower share than at taxi, 16%
% ted
Not willing
option among customers and it has grown rapidly (by half since
to support financially the drivers the merger between Kapten and 37%
Unsure
who now have to cover higher FREE NOW in July).
Increasing passenger demand for EVs
leasing costs or upfront costs of EVs.
Share of drivers
interested in EV transition
How do we get from A to B? This is only the beginning. We have a lot At FREE NOW, it is about more than just
to do to reach our goals and deliver our reaching goals. It is part of our DNA to
Pledge and we are ready to work with make our cities better places to be, since
Our pledge to you means a lot to us and here drivers, passengers, regulators, the launching as the first taxi app in 2011, we
Government and businesses so that we have been determined to help people to
are 6 key steps that show you how we will achieve it: can make cities and this planet a better move freely. And we all want to move
place to be. Many businesses have set freely, knowing that we are also protecting
themselves sustainability goals. the planet for future generations.
We will phase out vehicles from our app
We will invest over £20 million supporting according to increasingly ambitious emission
drivers to switch to electric vehicles. and age criteria, ahead of the regulatory
requirements.
We will partner with local authorities, We will invest over £10 million into passenger
regulators and the Government to marketing & discounts to promote
improve EV infrastructure. electric options.
We will provide solutions that help We will carbon offset all emissions from 2020
businesses access greener travel now, onwards, focussing on preservation &
and to reach their future sustainability goals. regeneration of forests, including planting 14.
20,000 trees in Europe.
The road to 2025
FREE NOW will offset all remaining We’re already the only ride-hailing app
emissions from 2020 onwards. This will with a loyalty programme, and we plan
focus on preservation and regeneration to build greener travel into the
of forests, including local planting of more programme so that passengers who travel
In order for us to meet these ambitious targets we need than 20,000 trees across European cities. in zero-emission capable vehicles earn
to make some changes to the vehicles we offer on the greater rewards. We’re also already
Partner with CHARGE NOW in all FREE building triggers into our app experience
FREE NOW app. As well as phasing out older, more
NOW markets to give FREE NOW drivers which remind people to choose greener
polluting vehicle types we will be supporting drivers access to over 175,000 charge points options at the very moment they are
2021
in switching to greener vehicles. across Europe, benefit from 175,000 with booking a trip. We’re confident that once
many new charging hubs provided with they make the switch, they’ll see the trade
renewable energy. up for themselves and won’t go back.
Invest £10 million to support passengers We will no longer onboard TX1 and TX2
to go green between 2021 and 2023. vehicles onto the FREE NOW app,
As part of our pledge, we will invest over ensuring the iconic black cab can
£10 million into passenger marketing continue to thrive without the emissions.
efforts in the next 3 years, and
considerably more throughout the We will remove existing TX1 and the
duration of this pledge, by 2025. oldest TX2 from the platform.
This investment will include marketing
campaigns which inform and educate Offer exclusive deals with Ohme home
passengers about our fleet, as well as chargers, making switching cheaper
giving discounts which enable them for drivers.
to try it for themselves.
In order to raise awareness of the electric
fleet, we will be investing in on car
advertising and giving priority to drivers
of EVs so that more people across the
country can try the EV cab experience
for themselves.
As we enter 2021, below is a summary of key
actions that will be taken already this year:
16.
2022 2023
We will increase share of electric PHV rides
to over 55% by the end of the year
We will increase share of electric taxi rides
to over 70% by the end of the year
All existing TX2 taxis will be removed
We will stop onboarding taxis older
than 10 years
We will increase share of electric PHV rides
to over 70% by the end of the year
We will increase share of electric taxi rides
to 80% by the end of the year
All onboarded black cabs will be zero
emission capable
We will switch off all existing PHVs vehicles
that emit more than 111g CO2 per km
We will stop onboarding PHVs emitting
more than 111g CO2 per km All existing black cabs older than 12 years We will stop onboarding PHVs emitting
will be switched off more than 50g CO2 per km2024 2025
We will increase share of electric PHV rides
to 85% by the end of the year
We will increase share of electric taxi rides
to 100% by the end of the year
All existing non-electric Black cabs will be
switched off, we will only have ZEC black
cabs remaining
All existing PHV vehicles that emit more
Black cabs will continue to be fully electric
All existing PHV vehicles that aren’t ZEC will
be switched off, leaving only ZEC vehicles
(plugin hybrid and BEV), we will stop
We will maintain the share of electric
taxi rides at 100%
FREE NOW UK goes fully electric - every
time you order a cab, you will be travelling
than 93g CO2 per km will be switched off onboarding all non-ZEC PHV vehicles guilt free, in style
We will stop onboarding PHVs emitting
more than 50g CO2 per km We will increase share of electric PHV
rides to 100% by the end of the year
Drivers that switch to electric vehicles
have the opportunity to earn up to £1.2k
more a month2024 The year when we will
2025
The year when we will remove
remove the last ICE taxi the last non EV private hire vehicle
£20M £10M
Value of marketing campaigning
Value of incentives from FREE NOW
and discounts to convince
for the drivers to switch to EVs
customers to switch to EV
100%
30%
2020 2025
Share of the total
fleet which is electric
13.The 2016-2020 Greening Government
Working together Leading by example Commitments said that by 2019-20
Government will ‘cut greenhouse gas
emissions by 32% from the whole estate
and UK business transport’, there has
London is already a leading capital city with regard to sustainability We are pleased to see that already the
never been a better time to make this
Government is pushing itself and others
and we are pleased the regulator is on the journey with us. to “do better” when it comes to a reality.
We cannot do this alone, in order for us to reach our ambitious goals, protecting our environment.
The Government can already take action
to help cities thrive, to create greener spaces and to free up the roads FREE NOW is committed to doing all that to lead by example here, the annual cost
of standstill traffic, we need external support. we can to help our partner drivers migrate to the taxpayer of Government
from combustion engines to ZEC and EV departments using taxis was £3,301,517.
taxis, to help reduce emissions in those Assuming a switch from diesel to ZEC
cities in which we operate. vehicles on this basis would likely reduce
carbon emissions by a substantial 87%.
Creating a better place to be, reducing emissions, We believe that the Government should
improving cities is a win for everyone from the lead by example and commit departments If the UK Government switched
Government, city regulators and businesses only using ZEC and EV taxis for business
to schools, parents and children. purposes, where available, it would help to the FREE NOW EV booking
departments to reduce their carbon option, it could reduce its
footprints and stimulate demand for carbon emissions by 87%
green options.
The Government has an important role to play in supporting the shift to greener and electric vehicles. Already 50% of black cab trips on the app
Already, the Government has provided a wide range of support to help drivers switch. are taken in ZEC vehicles. We have access Four out of five businesses are planning
As well as retaining this, the Government can go further and support the demand for EV. to the most ZEC vehicles in London and to invest up to 40 per cent more in
with wait times of under 2 minutes in sustainable practices over the next
We are calling on Government and parliament to consider the following: central London as more drivers trade year in relation to company revenue
in their combustion engine vehicles for
• Commit to prioritising the use of electric taxis wherever possible green alternatives, there has never been
a better time to book an EV.
• Set targets for switching to an eventual requirement that all taxi use should be ZEC or electric
• Build these commitments into the Greening Government Commitments
Nine out of ten business leaders in the
• Whilst the annual use of taxis and PHVs by elected representatives and senior staff at City Hall City have placed sustainability as a top
is low, it would send a strong statement to the capital if the Mayor were to lead by example. priority as a result of the Covid-19 crisis
• We call on him to signal to the whole of London that the GLA is committed to its members
only using ZEC or EV vehicles, with the aim of encouraging other organisations to follow suit 24.Supporting drivers to make the switch
At FREE NOW, we want to work with drivers to help them
make the switch to cleaner vehicles, in addition to investing
Thanks to the increasing amount of Government over £20 million in the UK to help drivers to switch to battery
legislation that provides support for drivers making electric vehicles (BEV) by 2025, we are doing a number of
the switch, more taxi drivers will be encouraged things locally to support drivers.
to buy environmentally friendly vehicles.
Supports already made available: Drivers at FREE NOW who will switch to EV will receive:
ZEC vehicles are exempt from the The UK Government has already Subsidies up to £2000 per driver for the Discounts on some of the most popular
premium rate of vehicle excise duty (VED) provided £90 million to 27 local switch to EV paid by FREE NOW on top EV models in partnership with car
authorities to install over 900 of existing government subsidies manufacturers
dedicated electric taxi charge points.
Discounts on charging in partnership with In-app charging station map in partnership
several charging networks with CHARGE NOW
Grants of up to £7,500 off the price London’s taxi delicensing scheme has
of ZEC taxis through a £50 million grant. been popular with drivers. Less than Exclusive on-car advertising deals from Exclusive rush-hour driver bonuses to
£4m of the original £42m of funds day one of the switch to EV taxi to boost ensure the highest share of electric
allocated remains available to drivers driver earnings vehicles are on the road during periods
through the scheme. of the largest congestion
Driver-to-driver referral bonuses
available only to EV drivers
It’s vital that this popular and effective scheme continues to be funded, especially at a time
when taxi drivers’ livelihoods have been hit so hard by COVID-19. Any new funding stream should be
accompanied by changes to the way payments are made, rewarding drivers more who replace their
decommissioned taxis with green alternatives, than those who choose to make use of the scheme
but then leave the trade.
26.Making better use The Mayor should undertake a London-wide review of LTNs
to establish each scheme’s efficacy and impact – as well as
of existing infrastructure to identify any unintended consequences they may be having.
Without this analysis, we cannot truly see if cities are thriving
or if in trying to make cities move better, they are actually
COVID-19 has led to a large number of emergency measures becoming congested in different ways.
by local councils to protect public health. This includes the
significant expansion of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs),
supported by funding made available by TfL to London
boroughs.
It’s now time for an impact assessment to be undertaken.
If making certain roads accessible to ZEC drivers would have
a positive impact on the overall movement then we would
welcome it and would like to see more.
However, there are a number of issues highlighted
to us from drivers and other groups:
Is there a case for a ‘smarter’
How are LTNs affecting the Is air quality being negatively approach to the operation of
travel of those with mobility impacted as a result of LTNs, which uses technology
issues? Are they impacting additional congestion that to allow certain vehicles,
on the response times of may be caused as vehicles including those with low
emergency services? are forced to re-route? emissions, to use roads
which are currently shut off?
28.This will give these drivers the confidence In order to encourage PHV drivers in
Charging BOOK EV to transition to greener alternatives and
help to appease charging anxiety.
particular to transition to greener vehicles,
we recommend fast-tracking existing plans
to launch the rapid EV charging hubs in the
TfL modelling shows that two-thirds of PHV North, South and West of London.
trips are made outside the Congestion
Charge Zone. Meanwhile, Central London Technology already exists that could
Over time, more electric vehicle charging
points will become available in time as a
an estimated four in 10 taxi is relatively well-served by rapid charging help taxi drivers to charge wirelessly
result of proposed new legal requirements drivers and 90% of PHV points: by the end of 2020 TfL has while ‘ranked up’. A recent pilot scheme
for wireless rank charging in Nottingham
affecting existing non-residential buildings committed to installing 300 in Central
and new homes and offices. drivers do not have the London. To incentivise passengers to should be expanded nationwide.
However, in order to stimulate an early
ability to charge from home. leave their private cars at home, priority
at charging points should be given to taxis Contactless charging technology will not
switch to ZECs and EVs, drivers need and PHVs. only help taxi drivers who use ranks at
on-street charging points installed right stations and in city centres, the wider
Policy-makers should fast-track the roll-out public can benefit too. Airport drop off
now.
of on-street charging points across Outer lanes, short stay car parks and motorway
London boroughs, focussing on areas service stations with this sort of technology
Most car owners in the capital, including
where higher concentrations of taxi and would all benefit motorists more generally.
PHV and taxi drivers, are based in Outer
PHV drivers live.
London with many not having access
to a driveway:
Contactless charging technology will
not only help taxi drivers who use ranks
Commit to prioritising the use at stations and in city centres, the wider
of Electric taxis wherever possible public can benefit too.
Airport drop off lanes, short stay car parks
Set specific targets for switching and motorway service stations with this sort
to an eventual requirement that all of technology would all benefit motorists
taxi use should be electric or eco more generally.
11. 30.Vehicle Supply Currently there are a limited number of major suppliers of ZEC black cabs and PHEVs. However, the share of trips done by EV vehicles in recent years has increased dramatically, particularly with specific EV booking options on the FREE NOW app for passengers to have more choice. This increase in demand demonstrates the hunger and increase in passenger demand for cleaner transport. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the production of the LEVC TX for example, the most popular black cab choice being stalled. In order for us to meet our ambitious targets the supply of vehicles and evolution in battery technology must continue. 32.
“ I haven’t looked back since I started driving “ As a provider of first class financial “ I am delighted to see FREE NOW make this “ Premium and sustainability will be even
my new LEVC taxi and I am pleased to see and mobility solutions, we must set commitment to support drivers making a more inextricably linked in the future.
many more on the streets. examples for sustainable action. switch to electric vehicles. We all need to The BMW Group combines responsibility
work together to support drivers, now more and driving pleasure and actively shapes
Passengers love them and it is great that With this in mind, we have determined than ever. “ the transition to sustainable mobility.
FREE NOW is supporting more drivers to with our Ambition2022 that our
switch over, in the long run driving an EV locations should be carbon neutral Daniel Zeichner MP,
Cambridge
We are committed to the Paris climate
works out cheaper too. “ by the end of 2022 - worldwide. agreement and focus our respective goals
on the guidelines of the recognised
Brian McDonough,
Black Cab driver
Sustainability is part of our DNA at Science-Based Targets Initiative. We look
Daimler Mobility. We welcome and forward to accompanying Free Now on its
support the ambitious goals of path to a zero-emission mobility platform. ”
FREE NOW. This will be a significant
Rainer Feurer,
contribution to improving the quality Vice President Corporate Investments of BMW Group
of life in the city. ”
Stephan Unger,
Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Mobility for
Finance, Controlling, Risk Management and Digital Mobility Solutions
34.“ Through their Green Pledge, FREE NOW “ I am delighted to see FREE NOW “ With its ambitious emission targets up “ We’ve all got to do our bit to make the
are taking important steps in supporting committing to investing to support to 2030, FREE NOW sends a strong air we breathe cleaner, FREE NOW’s plans
drivers and passengers to switch to using drivers in taking up new electric vehicles. signal and is committed to are ambitious but if we work together
electrical vehicles. electromobility. We are very much then we can have a greener future.
The switch to electric vehicles has never looking forward to the cooperation and
It is great to see this provider based been more important in terms of are convinced that we can make a major Driving my EV is much smoother than
locally in Southwark committing to reducing air pollution. This is a Green contribution to the electrification of the hybrid, diesel or petrol vehicles and at
making all their taxis in the UK market Pledge showing immediate action today entire fleet. the end of the day it is what the
electric by 2024 and I hope that this for a better tomorrow. ” customers want. “
will encourage people to use greener and CHARGE NOW offers access to the
Peter Stone,
cleaner methods of transport, which will Caroline Pidgeon, AM
London Assembly Member
largest charging network in Europe, PHV driver
improve the air quality in our cities, enabling FREE NOW drivers to charge
making them better places to live and work. “ their electric vehicles quickly and
conveniently. This cooperation is driving
Neil Coyle MP, the change in urban mobility: innovative,
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
electric, sustainable. “
Jörg Reimann,
CEO at Digital Charging Solutions GmbHFor more information on the FREE NOW Pledge for updates, Click here
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