New York, Feb 19, 2026, 14:49 EST — Regular session
Uber Technologies (UBER.N) shares nudged higher on Thursday, up 0.2% at $72.89, with the stock having dipped to $71.80 earlier. Investors took in the company’s announcement about expanding charging infrastructure for autonomous vehicles.
This shift is significant: Uber’s bet on autonomy isn’t really about controlling vehicles, it’s about keeping its spot as the go-between for riders and fleet operators. Still, if electric robotaxis take over more trips, Uber won’t be able to sidestep the charging issue.
Uber’s move pulls it deeper into territory that resembles infrastructure more than pure software—think physical assets, not just code. That’s a stretch of the value chain where investors scrutinize returns, get choosy about time horizons, and keep a close eye on who shoulders the expenses.
Uber plans to pour over $100 million into building charging hubs for autonomous vehicles, focusing on high-power “DC fast” chargers at select depots and pit stops in key cities, the company said Wednesday. Initial sites will pop up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Uber’s also locked in “utilization guarantee agreements”—a commitment to generate demand—with charging partners like EVgo in several U.S. cities, plus Electra, Hubber, and Ionity in parts of Europe, according to Reuters. (Reuters)
Uber’s global head of mobility, Pradeep Parameswaran, told Axios that cities looking to make autonomy and electrification viable will need scalable charging first. The piece also noted that Uber is planning to guarantee certain minimum usage levels for charging networks, with the aim of securing discounts for its drivers. (Axios)
Uber has broadened its partnership with Life360, targeting families—especially parents coordinating rides for teens, Investing.com reported, citing a press release. “By linking Uber accounts with Life360, we’re creating a one-stop experience,” said Uber’s Margarita Peker. Life360 CEO Lauren Antonoff, for her part, said the collaboration is about giving families tools that are “seamless, practical, and genuinely useful.” (Investing.com UK)
Intuit announced Thursday that TurboTax customers can snag a free Uber ride—worth up to $25—when heading to any of its stores or expert offices. The offer is rolled out in partnership with Uber Advertising. “Now, we are removing the transportation barrier,” said Mark Notarainni, an executive at Intuit, in the statement. (Intuit Inc.)
Uber President and COO Andrew Macdonald picked up shares as restricted stock units vested, according to a regulatory filing. Some of those shares were kept back for taxes—a standard move for executives. (SEC)
Uber’s fight with the taxi sector hasn’t stopped at the border—across Europe, the company’s been sparring with traditional operators. Reuters says France’s antitrust authority raided Paris-based taxi company G7, acting on an Uber complaint that kicked off the probe. (Reuters)
The robotaxi sector still faces plenty of political and safety roadblocks—those hurdles can shift quicker than companies can build. According to The Verge, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has scrapped a proposal aimed at making it easier to deploy commercial robotaxis outside the city. Meanwhile, Waymo’s testing permit for New York City is set to run out on March 31 unless the company gets an extension, putting a short fuse on progress for a space where Uber is tapping partners for autonomous cars. (Theverge)
