Uber has introduced the “One Less Car” initiative in the U.S. and Canada, aiming to reduce emissions by encouraging car owners to give up their vehicles for five weeks. Participants selected for this program will receive a $1,000 stipend to explore various transportation alternatives, such as rideshare services, public transit, e-bikes, e-scooters, and car rentals.

Uber has long been committed to environmental sustainability, advocating for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and pledging $800 million to support its drivers’ transition to EVs by 2040. The “One Less Car” initiative is the latest effort in this direction, designed to encourage commuters to reconsider their dependence on personal cars and explore more sustainable options.

The program works by selecting up to 175 car owners from major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Miami, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver. These participants will be chosen based on specific criteria and will receive a $1,000 credit for committing to a five-week period without using their personal cars. The stipend can be used for various transportation modes during this trial period, providing an incentive to try out rideshares, public transit, e-bikes, and e-scooters.

A similar initiative by Uber in Australia last year showed promising results, with participants predominantly turning to walking, cycling, and ride-sharing after giving up their cars. This indicates a potential for significant behavioral change when individuals are incentivized to explore greener transportation options.

The timing of this program is strategic, coinciding with a resurgence in travel and tourism. With approximately 233 million private vehicles in the U.S., and about 80 million of them driven less than 10 miles a day on average, encouraging car owners to temporarily switch to alternative modes can contribute to reducing traffic congestion, lowering emissions, and fostering a more sustainable urban environment.

Uber’s “One Less Car” program aims to inspire a shift in mindset about transportation. By encouraging commuters to explore diverse ways of getting around, Uber is taking a step towards a cleaner, more efficient transportation ecosystem.