(Yicai) Aug. 1 -- BYD and Uber Technologies have unveiled a partnership to bring 100,000 electric vehicles made by the Chinese auto giant onto the US firm's ride-hailing platform worldwide.

The multi-year collaboration will kick off in Europe and Latin America and then expand to the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, BYD announced yesterday. The pair will also ally in developing driverless vehicles for Uber's platform, it added.

Shenzhen-based BYD did not disclose which models will be used.

“Uber and BYD share a commitment to innovate towards a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together towards that future," BYD Chairman and President Chuanfu Wang said.

To support drivers in the changeover to electric, the tie-up may include discounts on charging, car maintenance, and insurance as well as financing and leasing offers, depending on “what works best for drivers in a given market,” the carmaker said.

BYD overtook Tesla in global sales last year, becoming the world's top-selling EV producer, while California-based Uber is a global ride-hailing giant.

"When an Uber driver makes the switch to an EV, they can deliver up to four times the emissions benefits compared to a regular motorist, simply because they are on the road more,” Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said.

“Many riders also tell us their first experience with an EV is on an Uber trip, and we're excited to help demonstrate the benefits of EVs to more people around the world,” Khosrowshahi added.

Editor: Martin Kadiev