Uber revs up lobbying campaign as it hits regulatory potholes

In its latest stoush with regulators, ride-sharing startup Uber has enrolled the support of its loyal band of users as well as high-powered Washington lobbyists.

The Washington Post reports Uber – which has been valued at $US40 billion ($A48b) after recently raising $US1.2b in funding – has successfully campaigned to overturn proposals by US state Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to outlaw the rideshare service in the state.

Part of the reason for the company’s success in pressuring regulators to back off from the proposed ban was Uber’s call for its users to email and complain to the DMV official in charge of implementing the proposed ban.

Another reason for Uber’s success in its campaign against regulation is that it has recruited a small army of experienced political lobbyists, including a former senior adviser to President Obama, across the US in an attempt to stymie legislative proposals to outlaw the app-based service.

Uber’s war of attrition with regulators is being fought internationally as well, with the company now facing bans in India, the Netherlands, Spain and Thailand.