Tag: incentives,
UK Spring Statement: Gov’t pledges incentives for AI and quantum development
The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, used his Spring Statement Wednesday to announce a range of new measures targeting the technology sector.
Along with additional support to help R&D-intensive small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), a policy that was first introduced last year and was expected to be renewed in this year’s budget, the chancellor also announced a number of new tax relief schemes in addition to money and incentives for AI and quantum computing.
During his speech in the House of Commons, Hunt said that the country has a “newfound strength in the innovation industries that will shape this century,” adding that “over the last 13 years we have become the world’s third trillion-dollar tech economy after the US and China.”
Lyft’s latest EV incentives include an earnings bonus for California drivers
When Lyft first pledged to go fully electric by the end of 2030, the company detailed a plan that involved an “extremely hard” push on incentives for drivers. Now, more than two years later, the company is rolling out a new EV bundle to encourage drivers to switch.
To start, drivers in California can earn an extra $150 every week through the end of 2024 by completing 50 weekly rides with their personal EVs. You can find more information on the EV Ride Challenge over on Lyft’s website, but important details include a December 31st, 2023, deadline to register and a total individual earnings limit of $8,100.
“Because California is currently Lyft’s largest EV market, the company is using it as a testing ground to understand the best ways to help drivers transition,” a Lyft spokesperson told NBC affiliate KXAN. “From there, Lyft can take learnings to other states across the country.”
To that point, the other incentives Lyft announced today are available nationwide. First, there’s a discount for drivers who charge their cars through EVgo. In select markets, Gold and Platinum drivers can get up to 45 percent off the company’s Pay As You Go rates starting this week. To begin taking advantage of the discounts, you’ll need to link your Lyft Rewards and EVgo accounts.
Drivers with Lyft Direct debit cards can get cashback at public charging stations. The amount will depend on the individual’s Lyft Rewards standing, with Platinum members entitled to a 7 percent return, while Gold and Silver drivers get a more modest 3 percent and 2 percent back. Everyone else can get 1 percent back at stations that accept Mastercard. Lastly, Lyft has partnered with Wallbox to offer drivers discounts on at-home Level 2 charging hardware. The company is also working with COIL to secure pre-negotiated rates for installation.
“We know many drivers on Lyft want to switch to EVs, which is why we’re focused on addressing the biggest barriers they face in transitioning: upfront costs and access to charging,” said Paul Augustine, Lyft’s director of sustainability. “These offerings are the latest in many steps we are taking to support drivers in switching to an EV on Lyft,”
On Monday, the company also announced it’s on track to add “thousands” of new EVs to its Express Drive rental program next year. Lyft previously announced it was aiming to only acquire electric vehicles for the program by 2026, and phase out any remaining internal combustion engine cars by 2028.
California updates proposal on solar incentives that reduces costs but pays less
The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) new solar energy proposal removes a previously proposed monthly grid tax that could’ve added hundreds of dollars per year to the cost of solar installations (via Reuters).
The CPUC was looking to slash solar incentives for customers of investor-owned utilities and, in December, proposed charging a monthly fee of $8 per kilowatt to connect new solar customers to the grid. As pointed out by my colleague Justine Calma, some industry groups opposed the plan saying it “would end California’s solar boom,” which has made it the state with more rooftop solar than anywhere else in the US.
The CPUC responded by removing the monthly grid fee from its proposal.
At the same time, the CPUC is also…
Uniswap Labs COO MC Lader on the incentives behind DeFi
Crypto firms failed to deliver ‘promised benefits’ from lawmaker-backed incentives, says nonprofit
“At a minimum, the public should have a say in these crypto handouts,” said the Tech Transparency Project.