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What Happens When You Drive a Chevy Bolt EV for Rideshare

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive an all-electric vehicle for Uber or Lyft? Is it even possible, and does it make financial sense? RSG contributor Gabe Ets-Hokin answers these questions and more below.

“Yes, it’s fully electric.”

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“It goes between 200 and 250 miles on a single charge.”

“I charge it in my garage overnight, but a DC fast charger can get the battery to an 80-percent charge in about 45 minutes.”

Memorize these responses if you’re planning on driving a long-range EV for your rideshare gig, because your passengers will ask the same questions over and over. Of course, since you’re reading this article, you probably have questions, and that’s okay. It’s why I’m here.

Interested in trying out a Chevy Bolt as a rideshare rental? Maven Gig offers a fleet of Chevy Bolts if you’re interested in trying one! Learn more here.

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Reasons I Don’t Drive for Uber In a Big City Anymore

After our last article on driving in bigger vs. smaller cities, we received several emails asking us to cover rideshare driving from a small town driver’s point of view. Today, we have that article for you! Reader Chris (he’s asked us to withhold where he lives, for reasons you’ll read below) shares his guest post with us today on what it’s like driving in a small town, why he does it, and the challenges small town drivers face.

We’re always looking for other drivers’ perspectives on driving! If you have driving tips or perspective you haven’t seen on RSG, contact us here and if picked, you’ll get a $100 Amazon Gift card!

I signed up with Uber in October of 2016 and Lyft shortly after in December of 2016. After I signed up, I drove in a city of 320,000 people (Lexington, KY) that had a major university, horse racing track, tons of bars, breweries, and distilleries. That city is approximately 25 miles and 35 minutes from my home.

Every night that I wanted to work, I had to deadhead to city center, then do the same on the way home. Using data I compiled in the first half of 2017, I averaged about 14 rides per day that I worked, at a net profit of $9/hour.

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How I Started My Own Rideshare Business

We recently had a driver, Andrew “Andy” Micka, reach out to us about a clever (and lucrative) business he started, which grew out of rideshare driving for Uber and Lyft. When we talk about “working smarter, not harder”, Andy really exemplifies what this looks like. Today, Andy will discuss his business, Arrivals with Andy, what he did to grow it, and tips for other drivers who’d like to diversify and increase their incomes as well.

Uber and Lyft started me out on the journey I’m on, working 100% for myself through contractor services, and eventually starting my own company, Arrivals With Andy, LLC. I left my decently-paying, full-time, Monday-Friday sales job to pursue this new career path, and I’d like to share my successes, failures, accomplishments, and goals, in hopes of helping them along their own journey – whether it be a part-time gig or, like me, a full-time career transition.

I believe in excellent, but simple, customer service – after all, that’s what we’re doing here, isn’t it? Providing a customer service. Being kind to people, empathetic to any problems they’re having, and doing other simple things like helping them load and unload luggage or groceries, assisting them with installing and removing a carseat, and all-in-all just providing a total service that leaves them a little happier when they leave my car than when they entered.

We recently had a driver, Andrew “Andy” Micka, reach out to us about a clever (and lucrative) business he started, which grew out of rideshare driving for Uber and Lyft. When we talk about “working smarter, not harder”, Andy really exemplifies what this looks like. Today, Andy will discuss his business, Arrivals with Andy, what he did to grow it, and tips for other drivers who’d like to diversify and increase their incomes as well.

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Lyft’s New Prime Time Experiment REVIEW

Recently, Lyft announced it would be testing a Prime Time beta program for some drivers in Chicago. While not new (Lyft tried this new system in Tampa, FL, and Uber has made changes to its surge pricing), it isn’t until now that we had someone with firsthand experience write about this beta test. Today, we have a guest post from Mark Smithivas about Lyft’s Prime Time beta testing in Chicago.

Do you have a rideshare experience you’d like to share? Reach out and pitch me! You may see it featured here – and you’ll also receive a $50 Amazon gift card if we publish your article.

I’m a part-time rideshare driver in Chicago, IL who has been driving for over a year with 3,000 rides under my belt. When I first started I only drove for Lyft, but added Uber about 4 months ago to augment my earnings. Uber now represents about 85% of my rides now simply because I get more rides and better bonuses on that platform.

Last week, I got an e-mail from Lyft that I was selected to be in a beta test of a new heat map scheme. No details were given on how this new scheme would work, other than a vague promise that it would address some of the issues brought up from previous driver feedback about the current Prime Time maps. Lyft previously tested this new system out in a smaller market (Tampa, Florida) and there was some outcry from drivers there about it.

Basically, the new system deploys a flat-rate bonus instead of a percentage-based multiplier. So instead of seeing a map with 25, 50, or 100% Prime Time, you would now see a map offering anywhere from $5-20 fixed bonus for a particular ride.

I decided to give the trial a fair shot since it sounds like something Lyft wants to eventually roll out nationwide. (Note: Uber has also announced a similar scheme rolling out in selected markets as well).

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We’re In it Together: Providing an Excellent Driving Experience

Today, we have a guest post from Rick S. of Baltimore, MD. Rick has a great attitude toward driving, and he shares his thoughts on making driving a pleasant experience for everyone, including other drivers.

In the article below, Rick shares why rideshare driving is more than just one driver’s individual experience – it’s the sum of all drivers’ experiences. If you’re wondering why you received a bad rating or no tip from a passenger, Rick reminds us that other drivers also play a part in making ridesharing positive for passengers. Rick explains why multiple positive interactions for riders is important, and how providing the best experience you can makes it better for all drivers.

Do you have a unique ridesharing perspective you’d like to share with us? Reach out and pitch me! You may see it featured here – and you’ll also receive a $50 Amazon gift card if we publish your article.

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