Uber has announced the next step in its affordable mobility plans, introducing 2 products: Uber Moto, featuring motorbikes, and Uber Electric (smaller, four-door electric vehicles).
They showcased their products live at an event in Victoria Yards, 16 Viljoen Street, Lorentzville, JHB, focused on low-cost mobility. The event featured a panel discussion on the future of sustainable, affordable mobility and wrapped up with an exciting partnership announcement. ”The whole theme of today is providing low-cost options on our Uber platform.”
As part of its next chapter, the company highlighted the rapid expansion of Uber Moto, which has grown from a small pilot into a trusted and affordable mobility option, completing thousands of trips each week across a vast area of Johannesburg.
The Uber Moto product continues to address transport poverty by offering short, essential trips that help people reach work, education, healthcare, and public transport hubs more affordably and reliably.
“We’re building mobility that reflects the realities of South Africans,” said Deepesh Thomas, General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Uber. “Uber Moto has shown us just how powerful, affordable, and reliable movement can be in opening doors for people—from daily commuters to parents, shift workers, and students.”
Uber Go Electric: Affordable Sustainability Built for Drivers, Riders, and Cities
Uber also announced the launch of Uber Go Electric, its first fully electric product in South Africa, operated through fleet partner Valternative.
It is intended that Uber Go Electric will improve the economics of earning by removing one of the biggest pressures on drivers: fuel costs. With lower operating expenses, fewer mechanical issues, and more predictable running costs, it is expected that drivers can retain a greater share of their income and plan their work with greater confidence. Riders, in turn, benefit from quieter, more comfortable trips at an affordable price point, while cities gain from reduced emissions and congestion as electric mobility becomes more commonplace.
“Electric mobility becomes meaningful when it’s accessible,” said Mohamed Jeewa, CEO of Valternative. “By managing charging, servicing, and fleet operations, we ensure drivers can adopt electric vehicles without carrying upfront risk. We also remove the friction of daily cash flow that is required by providing an all-inclusive ecosystem. It is our intention that all of this leads to riders and drivers being able to increase their net earnings. Electrifying fleets in SA is one of the most rewarding journeys for our business.”
From the expansion of Uber Moto to the launch of Uber Go Electric, Uber is investing in mobility solutions designed for the way South Africans really move—solutions that support livelihoods, strengthen communities, and contribute to cleaner, more inclusive cities.
“Our goal is simple,” said Thomas. “To build mobility that is accessible, sustainable, and proudly built for Mzansi.”
