What it’s like to drive an Electric Vehicle for Uber?

Although not as prevalent yet as in other parts of the world, electric cars are slowly but surely winning drivers’ trust and becoming more common on Australian roads. With new charging points installed monthly and incentives from public and private institutions encouraging EV adoption, Australia is on the right path to joining the global EV revolution. It has become quite common for rideshare drivers to switch to electric cars and take advantage of all the benefits that come with it.

Driving an electric car for Uber can help you in many ways — it leaves more money in your pocket, you get plenty of benefits and discounts while having a smooth driving experience, and you get to enjoy Uber’s efforts in improving your experience as an EV driver.  

If you’re still on the fence about driving an electric car for Uber, here are some reasons why you should consider making the switch. 

1. Lower running costs 

Contrary to popular belief, driving an electric car can be cheaper than driving a traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car since you’re saving consistently both on fuel and maintenance.  

Filling up your electric car can be up to 70% cheaper than filling your petrol car, depending on where and how you choose to charge your EV.

To get an idea of how much you can save, the Australian Electric Vehicle Council states that for 15,000 km driven, you spend around $2,160 on petrol, while for the same distance with an EV, you pay just $600 on electricity costs.

IMPORTANT: As most Uber drivers’ average is 500 – 1,000 km a week, this results in $52-$104 weekly savings.  

2. Less maintenance 

By driving an EV, you’re also saving on regular maintenance. While servicing an EV can still be pricy compared to a petrol car, the good news is that you won’t need it that often. With fewer parts to break down, no internal combustion engine, no oil change and an extended battery warranty, your EV will require servicing less frequently compared to a petrol car.  

Did you know? According to NSW Government, you’re expected to pay 40% less for EV maintenance than you usually pay for ICE vehicles.  

3. Increased Uber earnings 

Uber is a big supporter of the green revolution, aiming to have a fully electric fleet in Australia by 2040. One of the latest incentives was introducing Uber Green in Australia, allowing passengers to request rides in zero-emission vehicles for the same fares as UberX. This offers drivers in electric cars an advantage over drivers in ICE cars as customers will often choose Uber Green rides as a preference. Some Electric vehicles are also eligible for Comfort Electric rides, offering even greater earnings potential.

4. Public and private institutions’ incentives 

Many public or private institutions offer EV drivers incentives to encourage EV adoption. One of NSW’s government actions was allowing all EVs (Electric Vehicles) to drive in T2 and T3 transit lanes, helping drivers to cut travel times. This is set to last until 31 October 2023.

EV drivers might also be eligible for discounts at charging stations. For example, NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, and RACT members receive a 20% discount at Chargefox ultra-rapid charging sites. NRMA members can also use the insurer’s fast charging stations for free. 

BMW has also introduced 5 years of free charging on some of their vehicles, through a partnership with ChargeFox. The BMW i5 available through Splend's Flexi Own plan is eligible for this offer, which is a fantastic saving for customers over the life of their Flexi Own plan.

Charging network JOLT also provides 7kWh free charging per day on their DC fast chargers for all drivers.

What do Uber drivers say about switching to an EV for rideshare? 

To help you get an inside perspective of what driving an EV for rideshare really means, we asked Anthony, one of our first drivers who decided to switch to an EV, how this move paid off for him. He switched to a Polestar 2 Long Range after driving a Toyota Camry for over four years, and he couldn’t be happier with his decision.  

What I most love about this car is how cost-effective it turned out to be. I’m also very impressed with the finish of the car and the overall aesthetics. All in all, it’s a car with great features, with more than enough range for what I do as a rideshare driver.

Anthony admits that charging was his main concern before switching, but later discovered how many charging options he has in Sydney. 

I plan on charging my car mostly at home, and then, depending on my trips and how my days turn out, I’ll use public charging stations. I love that the car maps out all the charging stations for you, making it even easier for me.

How can Splend help you? 

If you’re interested in switching to an electric car but don’t want to pay for it outright or commit to an expensive and inflexible car finance deal, our Flexi Own plans are a hassle-free, flexible and cost effective way to own a car. Or if you're interested in testing out if an electric car is for you, test one out on a Flexi Try plan, you can always upgrade to ownership with Flexi Own later. 

At Splend, we help on-demand drivers access brand-new EV models with our all-inclusive plans, Flexi Own and Flexi Try.

Our plans cover everything rideshare drivers need to get on the road:

• Rideshare licence + Vehicle Registration 

• Rideshare Loss & accident cover 

• Scheduled servicing 

• Replacement tyres and brakes 

• 24/7 roadside assistance 

• Replacement car in case of an accident or warranty claim.

We also value performance and progress, so our team is there to help drivers succeed in everything they do. We offer dedicated support from day one and guide you to make a driving strategy and become a more profitable and successful rideshare driver.

About Splend

We enable people to make money by driving for on-demand apps such as Uber.

Splend makes car ownership easier, more affordable and more accessible for rideshare drivers by building everything they need to earn more, pay less and stress less into one affordable weekly payment. It’s smooth driving, with no surprises and the lowest total ownership cost you’ll find – which is how car ownership for rideshare drivers should be.

For more information about Splend, make an appointment and drop by to your local Splend Hub, email us, or say hello on 1800 775 363.