And it’s not only down to gas savings.
Most are in agreement that electric vehicles are the future. Not only are they better for the environment (some might disagree), but they’re starting to perform really well. Manufacturers keep breaking records for EV range, and the world of motorsport is quickly being dominated by electric vehicles. There’s one other industry that’s also taking to EVs in a big way: the taxi industry. Back in May, we made a list of our top seven cars for Uber and Lyft, and one car stood out: the Tesla Model 3. This car offers great value for money, excellent range, and lots of interior space, and according to Uber driver Heidi Barnes, it can even make you richer.
Tesla
Tesla
Barnes recently traded in her Toyota Camry for a Tesla Model 3, and besides the non-existent fuel bills, she’s noticed another perk of driving this American EV: people are tipping her a whole lot more. In an interview with Bloomberg, Barnes noted that she used to receive tips of around $1 to $3 on average when she was driving the Camry, but since switching over to the Model 3, those tips have skyrocketed to between $10 and $15 on average. Barnes isn’t sure if it’s the fact that people appreciate the Model 3’s environmentally friendly nature, or if it’s just because people associate the Tesla with a more premium experience over the Camry.
To make things even better, Uber is incentivizing its drivers to switch to EVs, and Barnes is bagging an extra $1 per ride after trading up to the Model 3. Barnes also notes that she is saving up to $150 per week on fuel, since fuel has gone up to $5 a gallon. Barnes is currently leasing her Model 3 through a special program set up for Uber drivers through Hertz, and pays $334 per week, including insurance and basic maintenance. Barnes notes that within the first 25 days of renting, she made $2,600 – more than double the amount the Camry used to bring in.
According to Gridwise, an app used by gig workers to manage transport logistics, the delivery industry saw a 186% jump in drivers using Tesla vehicles. In the current economic climate, and with inflation and gas prices not coming down any time soon, it seems like a no-brainer for Uber drivers to make the move to EVs.
Tesla
Tesla
