All Uber Eats couriers will use zero emission vehicles by 2040, the food delivery company has announced.

Deliveries are currently made by staff using cars, motorbikes and bicycles, as well as public transport.

The firm has also pledged to end all unnecessary plastic waste from deliveries by 2030 by making all participating restaurants use sustainable packaging.

Uber previously said it aimed for all its cab drivers in London to use electric cars by the end of 2025.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said: “Driving emissions to zero, I believe, is the defining challenge of our generation.”

He added that London is “the leader in electrification” but “the world is absolutely not making the transition to green fast enough”.

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The company said on Thursday that Heathrow Airport will be among several global airports providing drop-off points in preferential locations for Uber electric vehicles (EVs).

Mr Khosrowshahi said Uber had reached the “awesome” figure of 10,000 drivers using EVs in London, and passengers can choose those vehicles at no extra charge.

“Our London riders experience the greenest ways to use Uber in the world, by electric car, by bike, by scooter, hybrid boat, coach and now even the Eurostar,” he said.

“That’s no accident. World-leading policies in London and the UK to lower emissions and clean up transportation have had a significant impact, and are having a significant impact as we speak today.”

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