This week Uber announced its EV Champions Initiative that will give incentives to its driver-partners to go electric while giving riders experience in the passenger seat.

“This project advances mainstream consumer confidence in electric transportation,” said Veloz Executive Director Josh D. Boone. “Any time we can provide additional touch points for people to learn more about electric cars, everyone wins.”

Uber, a new Veloz member represented on the board of directors, expects thousands of electric car driver-partners to provide at least 5 million rides in the next year. Riders in nine North American pilot cities will know when an electric car is on its way, and drivers will be given tools to answer passenger questions about what it is like to drive electric, including charging and economic benefits and incentives.

Veloz member SMUD is partnered with Uber and is offering Sacramento-area drivers cash incentives for each trip completed in a zero-emission car.

Pilot cities include:

Learn more about how Uber drivers and riders will benefit from this initiative.