Hertz partnered with Tesla and Uber have been working together for several years to offer flexible car rentals to rideshare drivers but now there’s some competition. Ford has stepped up to the plate with their new Ford DRIVE program which offers Mustang Mach E®’s to qualified drivers.
In this article, we’ll explain how Ford DRIVE works and compare it to the longstanding Hertz/Tesla partnership.
What Is Ford DRIVE?
Ford DRIVE launched the Ford DRIVE Rideshare Program with Uber in August 2022. This program invites qualifying rideshare drivers in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego areas to flex-lease a Mustang Mach-E® Select every week with no long-term commitment (minimum term of 30 days) and no deposit.
Bundled auto insurance and regular scheduled maintenance are included to offer a worry-free weekly price for high-mileage gig drivers – without the hassle of ownership.
In order to participate, Uber platform drivers must have completed at least 100 trips with an overall 4.85+ rating. Qualifying drivers in participating locations can find the Ford DRIVE offer in the Uber Marketplace.
What Is the Uber/Hertz Tesla Rideshare Program?
Hertz and Uber have partnered with Tesla to provide Tesla car rental options for Uber drivers.
The program includes damage protection and standard vehicle maintenance; however, a deductible applies to the damage protection. For Uber drivers, the price is $440 for a weekly rental, including after-tax fees and damage waiver, and may vary by region.
The first step to renting a Tesla is to be an eligible Uber driver with at least 150 trips and an overall 4.7+ rating.
There’s a portal to the Hertz signup page in the Uber app, but the best way to make it happen is to call Uber’s customer service through the app.
Select the proper option and language for assistance with rentals and tell them you want a Tesla. You’ll get put on a waiting list and be informed once your wait is over. The wait varies by location as well.
Pros and Cons of Ford DRIVE
Pros
- Driving a 2022 or 2023 Mustang Mach-E® Select.
- Qualify for Uber Comfort and Uber Comfort Electric with this vehicle.
- Inventory is readily available in participating areas – Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
- Short-term weekly plans are available with flexible terms.
- Able to choose and switch between 500 miles per week, 1,000 miles per week, or unlimited miles per week.
- No cancellation fee as long as you fulfill the 30-day minimum rental.
- No upfront fee or deposit.
- Superior customer support via phone, email, or even in person at the pickup locations.
- Full tutorial & walkthrough inclusive of EV charging guidance and demonstration of the vehicle’s tech provided to you when you pick up your vehicle.
- Customer service is dedicated to you at vehicle pick-up. No long lines or wait times.
- Convenient access to charging.
- 250 Miles EPA-Est. Range (72kWh Usable Battery Capacity) – Std. Range Battery and RWD (Based on full charge of Standard Range Battery Capacity 72kWh. USA EPA-targeted range based on analytical projection consistent with US EPA combined drive cycle. Actual range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age, and state of health).
- The all-electric torque provides a fun driving experience
- Seats up to 5 with plenty of riding and a large “frunk” storage space in the vehicle. Rear leg room = 38.1″
- Auto insurance included.
- Covers the cost of scheduled maintenance and service, including costly wear items like tires and batteries.
- No need to return or swap the vehicle upon rental extension.
Cons
- Minimum term limit of 30 days – so drivers need to have some commitment to the program.
- Currently, only available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
- Program has only one vehicle option (Mustang Mach-E® Select).
- Requires a minimum 620 credit score to reserve their vehicle.
Pros and Cons of Tesla/Hertz
Pros
- Driving a 2021 or 2022 Tesla Model 3.
- Qualify for Uber Comfort and Uber Comfort Electric with this vehicle.
- A quick course on how to drive a Tesla is included when you pick up your vehicle.
- You can extend the rental weekly for up to 180 days without the need to call or visit a location in person.
- Rental costs include insurance and basic maintenance.
- Rental plans include unlimited miles in this program.
- Hertz has 200+ locations to make it easy to find a location near you to rent a car for rideshare driving.
- Can consider other vehicle options to rent from Hertz.
Cons
- Only one price option. No flexibility with the plan.
- $1,000 deductible and a potential $400 cleaning fee and/or a $400 lost charging cable fee.
- You must rent the vehicle for at least seven days, so you can’t rent it for the day to make extra money.
- You cannot participate in the program if you’re under the age of 25.
- Some customers complain that the back of the Tesla Model 3 does not have much room (especially if the driver is tall and has a seat back). Rear leg room = 34.5″.
Cost of Each
For Ford DRIVE, there is no initial fee or deposit. Depending on which plan you choose and which city you are located in, pricing starts at $289 for 500 miles a week + $0.20 per additional mile (excluding taxes), $329 for 1000 miles a week + $0.20 per additional mile (excluding taxes), or $369 for unlimited miles per week (excluding taxes).
You are not locked into your weekly package and may switch your plan for an upcoming week at any point within your term. This tiered pricing plan adds a lot of flexibility for drivers since they don’t need to commit to a full-time schedule to rent a car.
For Hertz, a $1,000 deductible is required. You rent by the week and pay weekly, so you can align your Uber earnings with your Hertz bill. The cost to rent a Tesla through Hertz is $334 per week and this doesn’t include taxes and fees.
Keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying the charging fees associated with Tesla after you return it to Hertz, so budget accordingly!
Final Thoughts
Both of these options seem to have great pros and of course cons depending on your needs as a driver.
Tesla used to have a major advantage over other manufacturers when it came to charging due to their Supercharging network. But now that other OEMs, including Ford, will be able to access Superchargers this year, it really evens the playing field.
While Hertz Tesla is available in more marketplaces, if you’re renting from Hertz, you’ll need to be ready to consistently put 40-60 hours a week on the road to cover the high cost of the weekly rental + charging.
In our opinion, Ford DRIVE seems like the clear winner in the markets where they operate since you’ll have access to a high-performing vehicle with more space while also getting more flexible weekly rental pricing, which accommodates both part-time and full-time drivers.
