Uber adds fuel surcharge for non-EV fares in Australia amid petrol price rises

Uber is implementing a temporary 5-cent-per-kilometre fuel surcharge on petrol, diesel, and hybrid rides in Australia from 15 April to 8 June, while exempting battery electric vehicles, in response to elevated fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions affecting oil markets. The Guardian provides named sourcing (Uber spokesperson, Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine) and concrete details—surcharge duration, rate, vehicle types affected, and the stated rationale of 50-cent-per-litre fuel cost increases—meeting established broadsheet standards. Independent news sources corroborate the surcharge announcement and its EV exemption; broader context from ABC News and CarExpert shows Australia is experiencing concurrent spikes in EV adoption and freight cost pressures, with international oil supply concerns cited as a driver. Watch for the effectiveness of the surcharge in offsetting driver costs, completion of Fair Work Commission negotiations on rideshare driver conditions mentioned by the TWU, and whether fuel prices remain elevated through the June expiration date—outcomes that could influence whether Uber extends or modifies the policy.