Swapping My Prius for a Tesla as an Uber Driver
Today, I want to share a rather unexpected twist in my Uber driving journey. Picture this: my trusty Prius, my sole vehicle for personal and Uber use, meets a deer. What follows is not just a tale of car repair woes but a venture into the world of Tesla driving!
The Deer Encounter and the Prius Dilemma
It all started when my Prius and a deer decided to have an unfortunate meetup. The result? A damaged car and a 10 to 13-week wait for repairs. With no vehicle for potentially over three months, I had to rethink my Uber strategy.
Enter Uber's Rental Program
Uber's rental program came to my rescue, offering the option to rent a Tesla. Yes, $360 a week is expensive, but it seemed like a viable option. The rental process was surprisingly smooth, despite a minor hiccup in Syracuse, where a promised Tesla was unavailable. A quick trip to Rochester, however, resolved that issue.
The Tesla Experience
Now, driving a Tesla is a different ballgame. It's more than just an electric car; it's an experience. Compared to my Prius, the Tesla offers a powerful drive. Still, it took me a while to get used to its unique features, like figuring out how to unlock passenger doors.
I'm only 3 days and 29 trips into the experience, but I felt like it's time to give an update.
Pros and Cons of Driving a Tesla for Uber
EV dollar per trip promo: My minimum fare increased by 20%, from $4.02 to $5.02. So far the promo has earned me $29 or a 13% income increase.
Passenger compliments: The Tesla's ride, glass roof and spacious, comfortable backseat with heated seats has been a hit. Young people like it most.
Tax deductions: The hefty $359 weekly rental fee is a tax deduction instead of the $0.67 per mile.
Charging challenge: The nearest supercharger is 30 miles away, requiring careful planning. I do some “trickle” charging at home each night too.
Door handle confusion: About a third of my passengers struggle with the Tesla's door handles, and stepping out to assist means restarting the car.
Cost comparison: Charging the Tesla is $0.04 more expensive per mile than fueling the Prius. However, this is mitigated somewhat by tax deductions.
Levi Tesla confusion: It’s an easy car to drive, but it is way different than any other car I’ve driven. It will just take some time to get used to driving it it.
In conclusion, renting a Tesla through Uber's program while my Prius is out of commission has been an enlightening experience. It's more expensive but offers unique advantages and convenience. Stay tuned as I plan to share more concrete numbers and insights after several weeks of Tesla driving!
