Uber to join India’s electric taxi space in the push for clean cars.

In response to the Indian government’s desire for more electrification of shared mobility and public transportation, Uber Technologies announced on Monday that it will launch electric vehicles (EVs) for ride-sharing in India. This is the company’s first step toward adopting clean cars.

Uber is stepping up battle with local rival BluSmart, an electric mobility start-up backed by BP’s venture fund, which has gained the lead in India’s electric taxi market, by planning to add 25,000 EVs over three years.

The largest electric vehicle manufacturer in India, Tata Motors, will sell the vehicles to Uber’s fleet partners, according to Prabhjeet Singh, head of Uber India and South Asia, in a phone conversation on Monday.

When considering significant shifts, Singh said, “you also don’t want to rush into those without necessarily properly grasping the economics and trade-offs.”

BluSmart also purchases EVs from Tata Motors.

According to Singh, a number of elements must come into play for electric ride-hailing to become popular. A wide-spread charging infrastructure, a developed financial ecosystem, and reasonably priced long-range automobiles are all requirements for the auto industry.

The largest deal for EVs by a ride-sharing firm, Singh said, “We feel we are beginning to see early signs of that coming together.”

According to Singh, even with 25,000 EVs, Uber’s 300,000-vehicle active fleet in India will not be entirely made up of electric cars.

Uber has declared a goal that by 2040, all of its trips will be made using micromobility, public transportation, or zero-emission vehicles. This goal includes trips made in India.

The Softbank Group-backed ride-hailing behemoth is in “active” discussions for its EV push with other automakers, charging businesses, fleet operators, and financiers, Singh continued.

Only one other Indian automaker, Mahindra & Mahindra, produces electric vehicles in-country. Moreover, BYD and MG Motor from SAIC sell imported EVs in India.

According to Singh, “We are going to be a key facilitator in advancing the (EV) ecosystem.”