How much electric range do you really need for rideshare driving?

In PCO driving, new tech always sparks skepticism - electric vehicles (EVs) are no different. Drivers often ask: is an EV’s range enough for serious PCO driving? Range anxiety is a real concern, and it’s understandable.

But before you let range anxiety stop you from switching to an electric vehicle, let’s break down what it really means and why it’s less of an issue than you might think.

It’s okay to have range anxiety

EV fans might brush off concerns, but the numbers don’t lie. Range anxiety is real, and it makes sense to worry. While a Kia Niro hybrid can do nearly 700 miles on a tank, an electric car like the Hyundai Kona manages about 300 miles on a charge.

And, while filling a petrol tank takes minutes, charging an EV takes longer. The reality is if your battery runs out with no charger nearby, you're stuck.

So, how is an EV good for PCO driving?

Despite lower ranges, more drivers are switching to electric. Why? Because in London’s city driving, range matters less. Here’s why EVs work well for PCO drivers:

1. Drive less, earn the same

At Splend, we monitor how much PCO drivers make and drive. EV drivers cover 20% less distance than those with petrol-hybrids, thanks to the Congestion Charge exemption and Uber Green incentives. They focus on Central London, reducing downtime between rides and maximizing earnings per mile.

Most full-time drivers don’t exceed 150 miles a day, well within the range of any EV.

2. EVs are made for city driving

Electric cars excel in urban settings. While long-distance trips may require a charge stop, city driving rarely drains the battery.

EVs are more efficient in stop-start traffic, regenerating energy while braking. You can also use fast chargers during breaks, so your car is ready before your next shift.

Did you know? You’d have to go the city speed limit for almost seven hours without taking your foot off the pedal to drain the battery of even the Hyundai IONIQ Electric, which has the smallest range from our fleet.

3. Managing your range is simple

Running out of charge is no worse than running out of petrol. With some basic planning, you won’t be stranded. If you can manage a petrol tank, you can easily manage an EV's charge and adapt.

How much electric range is really enough for PCO driving?

The truth is, most PCO drivers don’t need as much range as they think.

While EVs may require some adjustment, the benefits including lower costs, zero emissions, and special incentives - far outweigh the concerns. Once you get used to planning around charging, you’ll find that the range of most EVs more than covers your daily driving needs in the city. For many drivers, it’s a change they never regret.

About Splend

At Splend, we believe in drivers. We know their vehicles need to work harder than most; that they drive more miles than most; that their insurance is hefty; their maintenance costs high and that they can face unreasonable finance rates – which is a heavy load to carry on their own.

That’s why at Splend, we exist to support rideshare drivers with a new model, that takes all those car ownership costs, and provides them for less, with lower purchase prices, better rates, lower servicing and insurance costs – all for one weekly repayment, all in one place.