Move over Prius: is your next Uber a... BYD?

With a heavy heart, it's possibly time to say goodbye to the Uber Prius. BYD has gone into partnership with the ridehailing company, enabling existing and wannabe Uber drivers to get behind the wheel of a new all-electric BYD.

Starting in Europe, BYD is putting 100,000 fully electric cars into Uber's ridehailing fleet, spelling the rapid demise of the equally rapid 2am Uber hybrid drunken human door deliveries.

According to BYD, Uber drivers are opting for EVs five times quicker than private owners. The initial outlay of EVs and availability of financing have been cited as the main reasons for putting off drivers switching to electric. But for commercial ridehailing folk, the affordability of BYD and lower costs of maintenance and repair for EVs more generally holds a lot of understandable appeal.

It’s a global deal which will see BYD models expand into other markets, including Latin America, the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, for the first time. There’s talk of finance deals on buying and leasing and even discounts on charging (and other carrot-y type incentives), depending on the market.

“As the largest global agreement of its kind, we’re thrilled about the benefits this partnership will deliver for drivers, riders, and cities,” said Uber boss Dara Khosrowshahi, “When an Uber driver makes the switch to an EV, they can deliver up to four times the emissions benefits compared to a regular motorist, simply because they are on the road more. Many riders also tell us their first experience with an EV is on an Uber trip, and we’re excited to help demonstrate the benefits of EVs to more people around the world.”

Stella Li, EVP of BYD, added, “This collaboration marks a new era in the electrification of urban mobility, and we look forward to seeing our cutting-edge EVs become a common sight on the streets of cities worldwide.”

Whether BYD will manage the post-midnight drop offs in the same record-setting times is yet to be seen, but all hail your new night out chariot, folks. Literally.