Ride-hailing giant Uber has reportedly announced that it intends to add a surcharge of 15p per mile on all the bookings via its app in London. As per trusted sources, the move is aimed at assisting the firm’s drivers to purchase electric vehicles.

Reportedly, the fee is anticipated to be introduced in the early months of 2019. Sources familiar with the development state that the fee would add around 45p to the average London journey.

The company has claimed that the scheme will contribute toward plans to cut down air pollution in the city. As per a statement released by Uber, a driver using the company’s app for an average of 40 hours each week can expect to save up to £3,000 toward a new electric vehicle in two years.

The company hopes to hand cash to around 20,000 drivers to help them switch by 2021. For the record, Uber presently has nearly 40,000 drivers in London.

According to a report published by The Guardian, each Uber driver would have their own savings account toward the purchase of an electric vehicle, based on the number of miles driven. Uber expects to raise more than £200 million over the next few years to assist drivers in buying a new vehicle.

Chief Executive of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi was reportedly quoted stating that the scheme is a long-term investment in the future of London which is aiming to go all-electric by 2025. The company intends to assist people to replace their vehicle with their phone by providing a range of mobility options in the Uber application including scooters, bikes, cars or public transport.

Sources privy to the matter claim that the introduction of the surcharge would build on other collaborations of Uber that aim to enhance the infrastructure for electric vehicles across London. Moreover, the partnerships would lead to the installation of more charging stations in the city.