Accelerating EV Adoption: How Splend, Kia, and Uber are Electrifying Rideshare at the Australian Open

This summer, Melbourne is buzzing with excitement as the Australian Open takes centre stage. Amid the tennis action, Splend, Kia, and Uber have teamed up to provide Uber One members with free, sustainable rides in a fleet of Kia’s cutting-edge electric vehicles (EVs), including the newly launched EV5.

Together, we are proud to bring this innovative partnership to life, setting new standards in comfort, sustainability, and collaboration.

Supporting Melbourne’s Top Uber Drivers 

Splend has worked closely with Kia and Uber to recruit, onboard, and support 50 of Melbourne’s most experienced and customer-focused Uber drivers for this promotion. These drivers were selected not only for their expertise but also for their enthusiasm about trying out EVs on the Uber platform. 

Splend hosted an engaging information session for interested Uber drivers in December, where drivers learned about the opportunity from Uber, got an in-depth product demonstration of an EV5 from a Kia product expert, and discovered how Splend is redefining EV ownership. 

Splend offers all-inclusive and affordable ownership packages for EVs, where payments pay down the vehicle as well as including comprehensive rideshare damage and loss cover, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more, including ongoing support and education—not to mention peace of mind with extras such as a complimentary Uber-ready courtesy car in case of accidents. 

Experienced Splend EV drivers also joined the session to share their journeys, acting as mentors to the new participants. 

Serving the First Serve: Setting Up Drivers for Success 

With the Australian Open about to kick off, Splend facilitated the onboarding of drivers into their new EVs. Over two days, 50 drivers were set up in their vehicles and integrated into the Uber platform. During this time, drivers received a comprehensive rundown of their EVs, including essential charging tips, and were fully prepared to hit the road just in time for the Australian Open. This seamless process ensured every driver was ready to provide a world-class experience to passengers from day one. 

Seamless Support Throughout the Australian Open 

To ensure drivers have an exceptional experience, Splend provides round-the-clock support throughout the two-week event. Our services include: 

• 24/7 Dedicated Customer Support. All Splend customers enjoy 24/7 customer support and Splend had a team dedicated to answering the questions of the drivers participating in the Australian Open program, including escalating any issues to Uber and Kia. 

• Community Building: Drivers were organised into WhatsApp groups for mutual support and camaraderie. These groups provided opportunities to share experiences, tips and ask questions to get the most out of the program. Splend was also able to answer questions in the groups in real time and each group had an experienced Splend EV driver as a leader to help provide information on best places to charge and other EV tips. 

• Hosting Meet-Ups: Providing the participating drivers with the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and celebrate milestones.

Driver feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Cicero, one of the participating drivers, says, “The EV5 is really impressing everyone with its comfort and space.” Hassan adds, “My customers love how quiet, spacious, and environmentally friendly the EV5 is.”

Drivers have also been sharing their experiences on social media – sharing the features they are loving about the cars they are driving, the positive rider feedback and their impressions of driving an EV for the first time including the money they are saving on fuel.  

Transforming Rideshare, One EV at a Time 

This collaboration highlights Splend’s commitment to empowering rideshare drivers while advancing Australia’s transition to EVs. By making EV ownership accessible and stress-free, we’re helping drivers embrace a greener future—and their passengers are loving it. 

As Kia’s EVs shuttle spectators to and from the Australian Open, the impact is undeniable: thousands of emissions-free kilometres travelled and countless happy riders experiencing the best in sustainable transport. 

Join the EV Revolution 

Splend is thrilled to support initiatives like this that make a real difference for drivers, passengers, and the planet. If you’re an Uber driver interested in transitioning to an EV, Splend offers affordable and flexible plans tailored to your needs, including the Kia EV5 that is proving so popular with drivers and passengers alike. 

Together, we’re driving change—and there’s no better time to start than now.

About Splend 

Splend makes car ownership easier, more affordable and more accessible for rideshare drivers by building everything they need to earn more and pay less into one affordable weekly payment. It’s smooth driving, with no surprises and the lowest total ownership cost you’ll find – which is how car ownership for rideshare drivers should be.

For more information about Splend, make an appointment and drop by to your local Splend Hub, email us, or say hello on 1800 775 363.