Ride-Hailing Companies Greatly Increase Pollution, Study Says

"According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, ride-hailing trips today result in an estimated 69 percent more climate pollution on average than the trips they displace," reports Andrew J. Hawkins.

The Union of Concerned Scientists published a study on February 25 that included those findings.

At the heart of those findings is the fact that ride-hailing trips have been shown to displace trips from low-carbon modes, like public transit, biking, and walking. Hawkins says that reality also provides a path toward reduced emissions: "Uber and Lyft could reduce these emissions with a more concerted effort to electrify its fleet of vehicles or by incentivizing customers to take pooled rides, the group recommends."

As noted in the article, both Uber and Lyft have expressed a desire to limit emissions, but delivering on those expressed desires will be a tall order. Both companies have responded to the report, Uber promising to "continue to invest in products and advocate for policies that reduce car ownership, promote more pooled trips and support greater adoption of bikes, scooters, green vehicles and the use of public transit." Lyft called the study misleading.