How an Ex-Mercedes CEO Will Drive Uber's EV Strategy

Andrew Cornelia is set to join Uber in December as Uber's Global Head of Electrification & Sustainability. He has served as CEO of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging North America since 2023. 

His appointment fills the position vacated by Rebecca Tinucci, who has moved to lead Uber Freight. 

Andrew is due to step down from Mercedes-Benz at the end of November, with Heiko Schmidt, Vice President of Growth for the Mercedes charging network, taking over as the subsidiary's CEO. 

During Andrew’s tenure, Mercedes' ultrafast charging network has deployed nearly 500 new EV chargers across North America. 

The internal promotion of Schmidt could suggest a strategy of continuity for Mercedes-Benz's charging infrastructure plans which support its expanding portfolio of electric vehicles.

The economics of ride-hailing EV adoption

For Andrew, the case for electrification is apparent in terms of both performance and finance. 

"Ride-hailing drivers on Uber are going electric five times faster than the general population across the US, Canada & Europe, demonstrating what's possible when economics and technology align," he explains. 

He suggests the mobility industry is at a major turning point: "Two of the most important forces reshaping how people and goods move are electrification and autonomy – not just as technologies, but as core factors of growth, scale and stronger economics. 

“These changes will redefine reliability, safety, operating cost, and the overall end-to-end experience of urban mobility." 

Andrew also believes that high-mileage applications, such as ride-hailing services, are influencing the development of EVs and taxis, arguing: "High-mileage driving makes EVs not only cleaner, but fundamentally more cost-effective.”

Global scale and infrastructure hurdles

Uber's global operations include rides, delivery and freight services, involving millions of drivers and couriers worldwide. 

The company's scale presents an opportunity for rapid EV deployment, yet it also poses considerable infrastructure challenges related to charging access and vehicle costs. 

The new role is expected to focus on expanding the supply of drivers and couriers by enabling lower operating costs. 

Andrew has indicated he will be tasked with unlocking the remaining systemic barriers to EV adoption. 

This will involve building appropriate charging products and infrastructure, forming partnerships and developing data systems. The position will also oversee broader sustainability initiatives, including programmes for packaging and waste reduction.

Navigating electrification and market pressures

Cornelia brings experience in mobility and energy ventures to the role, though the move from building charging infrastructure to managing a driver network could present different operational challenges. 

The appointment occurs as ride-hailing firms like Uber face pressure from governments, regulators and consumers to reduce emissions, while also needing to maintain their market position for shareholders. 

The company's electrification strategy will need to find a balance between incentivising EV adoption among its independent contractor drivers and the capital requirements of supporting infrastructure. 

The success of this initiative could depend on forming partnerships with charging networks, vehicle manufacturers and municipal governments to create viable pathways for driver electrification at a large scale. 

"I’m grateful to join such an exceptional team and help build the next era of mobility," Andrew says. "Onward."