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Home  >  Uber  >  Uber Driver Doubles Her Monthly Tips After Switching To Tesla
Uber

Uber Driver Doubles Her Monthly Tips After Switching To Tesla

Matthew Klint Posted onJuly 1, 2022July 1, 2022 19 Comments

Tesla Uber

With fuel prices high, electric cars have become relatively cheaper to operate. One Uber driver in Los Angeles found that switching from a Toyota to a Tesla actually saved her money…then found that her tips doubled.

Uber Driver Makes Lucrative Switch To Tesla As Her Expenses Drop And Tips Double

When gas prices climbed significantly this year, Heidi Barnes faced a challenge. Even with higher user rates, utilizing her Toyota Camry for Uber did not make sense. She was spending $600/week in fuel, tipping was tepid, and it appeared like it was time to find another gig.

But then she switched to a Tesla Model 3, which she estimates costs her about $450/week to rent and charge. Hertz now rents Tesla vehicles and charges about $344/week for  insurance, basic maintenance, and unlimited miles. The other $100 covered charging fees.


> Read More: Hertz Will Purchase 100,000 Tesla Model 3 Electric Vehicles


The $150/week in savings was nice, but then came the tips.

Barnes told Bloomberg:

“Usually I’m lucky to get $1 to $3 tips but it’s now $10 or $15, sometimes consecutively.”

Over a 25-day period driving the Tesla, she made $2,600 in tips, compared to her average of $800-$1,000 driving her Camry.

We have debated tipping on Uber on Live and Let’s Fly. It’s a thorny topic because the original premise of the rideshare company was that your “tip” was included. I’m rather fascinated by Barnes’ experience and don’t view it as an anomaly.

I’m a big Telsa fan and I live in LA. I get that people love Tesla and understand why Barnes receives extra tips when she drives. Even so, I found it an amazing insight, even if just one anecdote, into our tipping culture.

As an added bonus, Uber offers a $1 per ride bonus to drivers who switch to an electrical vehicle (up to a maximum of $4,000/year under its Green Future program).

CONCLUSION

A Tesla driver in LA lowered her expenses and doubled her tips by switching to Tesla. As Telsa becomes even more common, look for more when using Uber.

If you are an Uber driver who has driven multiple cars, do you see higher tips in “nicer” cars? To riders, does the car type (versus cleanliness of the vehicle or friendliness of the driver) influence how much you tip?

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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19 Comments

  1. Stuart Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 9:58 am

    I was really surprised to see that many Uber vehicles in Dubai are now Tesla. Every single one I used on my last trip was a Tesla 3.

  2. Corey Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 10:41 am

    Teslas are overrated. I need something that can get through 2 feet of unplowed snow.

  3. Airfarer Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 10:42 am

    I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. Tesla 3 driver turned up. It was the first time I’d been in one. He gave me similar numbers on his rental etc. He said he used to work 5/6 days a week, now works four.
    His gave me a demo away from a light. Even the 3 is damn quick. I cannot imagine how fast a Plaid must be.
    BTW, I always tip.

  4. Andy K Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 10:49 am

    Interesting about the tips. I wonder if it’s West LA demlibs who think they are helping the environment by tipping a driver more? I would not never change a tip based on a car – as long as the car is clean and relatively new/well maintained.

  5. Jan Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 11:58 am

    Renting for Uber use? I guess people really do own nothing and are happy.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 1, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      Makes sense considering all the wear and tear on the car.

  6. Mitch Cumstein Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    You can rent a Tesla from Hertz and then use it for commercial purposes, like driving an Uber? That has to be a violation of Hertz’s T&C.

    • Jan Reply
      July 1, 2022 at 12:58 pm

      I read now that rental companies actually have programs specifically for ridesharing. The more you know…

    • Brian Cohen Reply
      July 1, 2022 at 1:03 pm

      I apologize for the link, Matthew; but it will answer this question that it is not only NOT a violation of the terms and conditions of Hertz; but it is actually encouraged:

      https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/vehicle-solutions/hertz/tesla/

      • William Robert Reply
        July 2, 2022 at 3:53 am

        Don’t worry, Hertz will report the car stolen and this young lady will end up spending all her earnings trying to clear her name

  7. John Doe Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    I would be really hesitant to state the amount of my tips in any article if she isn’t declaring them on her taxes. $2600/week? The IRS can/will look into these types of things.

  8. Scott Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    Sorry to be this guy but a few edits required signgicnantly on the Telsa article.

  9. Tony N Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 6:10 pm

    I guess this is promotional advertising for Tesla. No thanks.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 1, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      No, it’s not.

  10. Lamar Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    This is not true for everyone, don’t make this seem like everyone that has a Tesla gets those type of tips. I do the same thing for Uber and I don’t get more tips. I drive a Tesla that I rented through hertz and drive 15 hours daily to make a dollar that I don’t even get to keep.

  11. Timmy Reply
    July 1, 2022 at 11:26 pm

    I’ve never ridden in a Tesla Uber, but I feel like I would tip less than usual. I would think they were already well off with a Tesla and didn’t need additional money from me.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 2, 2022 at 12:20 am

      An interesting counterpoint.

  12. Donald Reply
    July 2, 2022 at 6:35 am

    Still sticking with the original premise of the rideshare company was that your “tip” was included.

  13. Juan carlos Reply
    July 2, 2022 at 8:21 am

    This is not true, firstable to rent a car cost you $470 dls a week without adding chargind the car, regarding tips no way they give more than usual , mens tip a woman more than a men , I am a 5 stars Uber driver but in order to get a good check i have to work at least 10 hours a day , 6 days and 6 hours ok Sunday , conclusion Uber is a good source to money but not as easy as people think,
    I am happy to drive for but disappointed on everything that i read in this article, 10 % its true
    Have a wonderful day

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