Think EVs are too expensive? Think again!: Rideshare Drivers React

[Editor’s note: Quotes are lightly edited for clarity]

The latest episode on The Rideshare Guy! Take a listen to my latest podcast episode, where I chat with Flywheel Technologies President Hansu Kim about Flywheel, taxi technology, and the Flywheel/Uber partnership.

Are EVs Too Expensive for Rideshare Drivers? Not With These Incentives

A popular topic nowadays is electric vehicles: how to get one, available incentives, and which ones are best for rideshare drivers. Who better to give advice about the longevity and reliability of an electric vehicle than a rideshare driver, when full-time drivers can drive over 1000 miles per week? In this article, RSG contributor Gabe shares why EVs are a must-look for every driver considering a new vehicle.?

Here’s what readers are saying:

Those driving electric vehicles commented that they couldn’t see themselves driving anything but EVs - especially for rideshare.?

“I gave 8000 Uber Lyft rides aboard a 2017 Chevy Bolt bought new, accumulating 170k miles along the way. The battery lost about 10% of its original ~57 kWh capacity in that time. My only maintenance/repair costs were 2 sets of tires, a couple of cabin air filters, and a $100 funny noise diagnostic/repair at a Chevy dealer…

The relatively slow DC fast charge rate of the Bolts isn't a huge problem if a rideshare driver plans a 1-2 hour break midday at a 20-50 kW medium-fast charger - use Plugshare to find ones priced reasonably (sometimes free!)...

Personally, I wouldn't do rideshare driving in any car except an EV.”

Chime in on the discussion here.

Updates To Lyft’s Shared Rides As It Comes To More Cities

As more companies agree that COVID is subsiding, whether or not that’s truly the case, Uber and Lyft have removed mask requirements for drivers and passengers and are beginning to add back ‘shared rides’, a mostly dreaded request where drivers have to pick up multiple, different passengers and drop them off at different locations. What are drivers saying about this?

Here’s what readers are saying:

Using your car as a tiny bus? Universally, this option is despised among drivers, and readers told us they couldn’t be more unhappy with this news:

“I absolutely hate shared rides.? In my experience, this is used by cheap people that don't tip.? I have never made more on a shared ride than on a regular ride and it is much more hassle.? It might work for drivers working the daytime commute, but as a night driver I will definitely be turning this off.”

Chime in on the discussion here.

Is This THE END Of Uber Driver Incentives?? What Will Lyft Do?!

While demand for drivers has never been higher, Uber and Lyft recently had some disappointing Q1 earnings reports. Could Uber and Lyft potentially get rid of driver incentives in order to balance their bottom lines?

Here’s what readers are saying:

For many drivers, particularly part-timers, incentives are key to their earnings strategies. If Uber and Lyft compete for drivers using incentives, the company that offers fewer or none will be sure to lose drivers:

“If Uber does away with incentives it won't be for long before they come back because if Lyft offers any incentives and Uber none, drivers like myself will go right to Lyft exclusively.?

I have been driving for Uber exclusively this year because Lyft as least in Chicago has not offered me any incentives whatsoever. Last year I drove mostly for Lyft - not anymore. Lyft used to offer some good incentives like $400 extra for doing 20 rides on the weekend. Maybe Lyft wouldn't have a driver shortage if they would offer some cash incentives.”

Chime in on the discussion here.