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Is Tesla Good For Uber (What You Need to Know)

Tesla cars are famous for many things, including their comfort, high-end design, cutting-edge technology, and of course, high prices. You may think you can purchase a Tesla car and pay off the price by driving for Uber. So, you wonder if Tesla is a good choice for Uber.

Read this article to see if Tesla can be a good vehicle for Uber, how much you can earn by driving for Uber, and many more tips.

Is Tesla Good For Uber?

Tesla can be a good choice for Uber because of the lower fuel costs. It also benefits riders by offering a smooth, quiet, and pleasant ride that surprises them. However, the costs may not add up the way you need to profit from your Uber business.

Uber has made registering as a driver very easy, especially for new electric cars. The inspection at the Uber Greenlight Hub doesn’t take much, and they’ll quickly do the paperwork to sign you up.

You can charge your car at home if you have a Wall Connector, which can cost between $500 and $1,500 to install. It’s an upfront cost that you can pay off by driving for Uber.

You could also charge it at the Supercharger, which can give you more range and cost more. Still, the electricity cost in the US is relatively low, making it a good financial decision.  

The maintenance and electricity costs can be around $200 a month, higher than other EVs like the Chevy Bolt. So, if you want to be a full-time driver, you need to consider these costs.

Your income can vary depending on the Uber service you offer, the tips you get, and your location, and many other factors. But according to surveys, a full-time Uber driver can earn up to $3,000 a month (more precisely, $95 per day).

The key is to avoid driving fast, which can drain your battery much faster and drive up your electricity costs.

And finally, if you want to buy a Tesla car to work as an Uber driver, it may not be as good an investment as using your existing car for this purpose. That’s especially the case if you get a car loan and need to pay the interest, in addition to insurance and depreciation.  

See Is Honda Fit good For Uber?

Can Tesla Be Used for Uber?

Tesla can be used for Uber as it’s a great alternative to gas-fueled cars. Uber has plans to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2040, and the main factor that helps the company achieve this goal is adopting more electric cars. 

In addition, some US states like California have mandated ride-hailing companies to go fully electric by 2023.

That’s why Tesla has partnered with Hertz, the car rental company, to rent 2021 Tesla cars to Uber drivers. It’s a step toward achieving the zero-emissions goal while giving many passengers a chance to ride in a Tesla and encouraging them to get an EV.

Uber gives drivers who rent a Tesla many intensives to encourage them to jump on the trend. It gives them the Zero Emissions Intensive, which is 1 dollar per trip, adding up to a potential of $4000 a year.

Plus, it makes these Tesla drivers eligible for Uber Green and Uber Comfort, giving them extra tips to earn more on each trip.

In addition to these incentives, Hertz offers insurance and basic maintenance, which can otherwise be a concern for added costs for some drivers.

Uber requires all the cars to have four doors and seat at least four passengers. Rebuilt, reconstructed, or salvaged cars are also prohibited, and Full-size vans and taxis don’t qualify for any Uber service. And if your car has a taxi-style paint, you can’t use it for Uber.

What Is the Oldest Year Car for Uber?

The oldest year car for Uber is 15 years old. However, it depends on your country, as some countries require newer models of up to 10 years. These requirements may vary depending on the Uber service, especially for premium services like Uber Black. 

After you sign up for the service, you’ll get other vehicle requirements specific to your location. Since Uber isn’t 100% clear about the requirements, you may find conflicting information after signing up.

So, it’s better to check your city and car model year in Uber’s search tool to make sure it’s eligible.

Check out our top Honda picks for Uber.

Is Tesla Considered a Luxury Car for Uber?

Tesla is generally considered a luxury car, and that’s no different for Uber. That’s why it qualifies for UberLUX, a premium offering to a select group of Uber riders. Other car models qualified for this service are BMW 7-series or Mercedes Benz S-Class.

Tesla Model S is the only Tesla model qualified for Uber Lux, but it comes next to luxury cars like Porsche Panamera and Rolls Royce. In addition, Tesla cars have features that you can’t find in any legacy vehicle. 

They include all the high-tech features like music and movie streaming, playing games, a bioweapon defense system, autopilot, dog mode, and many other features that make the rider feel like they’re in a Sci-Fi movie.

It goes from zero to 100 kph in three seconds, and it belongs to the class of those luxury cars that cost between $80k and $100k.  

What Cars Classify for Uber Black?

Uber considers Uber Black a five-star experience that allows the riders to feel the luxury and privilege of riding in a nice car. It also requires drivers to have ratings of 4.85 and more in their 500 recent trips.

Unlike other Uber services, the driver also needs to have a commercial driver’s license.

The qualified Uber Black cars need a black exterior and black vegan leather interior. Some of the main Uber Black cars include:

  • Lexus GS or LX.
  • Cadillac XTS and Escalade ESV.
  • Jaguar XF.
  • BMW 5 Series.
  • Mercedes Benz E Class and GL-Class.
  • Audi A6 and A7.

Is Tesla Considered Uber Black?

Tesla is considered Uber Black, listed as one of the qualified cars on the Uber website. Tesla Model X and Model S are among the qualified Uber Black cars as they have the main criteria like being black inside and outside and featuring vegan leather.

Can You Use Tesla Model 3 for Uber?

You can use Tesla model 3 for Uber whether you own the car or rent it from a rental company. It’s also among the models that Hertz bought from Tesla and offers it for Uber drivers to rent.

Tesla Model 3 also qualifies for most Uber services, including Uber Comfort, Uber Green, and Uber Select.

You can give your Uber passengers a great experience of riding in a luxurious and futuristic car and amaze them with the high-tech features, especially the autopilot.

How Much Can You Make on Uber With a Tesla?

You can earn up to $75 an hour, depending on the location and the Uber service you offer. The lower cost of electricity and the high range of Tesla cars allow you to earn more than other drivers. However, to get to that figure, you need to drive very high mileages, leading to a faster depreciation of your car.

If your car qualifies for premium services like Uber Black and Uber LUX, you can earn much more than basic services like UberX.

That’s because these services have much higher fees than regular services and you’ll get higher tips, too.

You could also earn more by applying for Uber Eat, giving service in large cities, and offering rides during surge periods with more demands than other times.

Do Tesla Cars Need an Oil Change?

Tesla cars don’t need oil changes as traditional cars do. That’s because they’re fully electric, and there’s no fumes caused by fuel burning to degenerate the oil inside the engine. In addition, the moving parts inside a Tesla engine are different from traditional ICE cars, so they don’t need much lubrication.

The oil used in Tesla motors is different from other ICE vehicles – it’s grease, not oil. There’s also no need to change fuel filters or spark plugs because there aren’t any.

The only regular maintenance that Tesla cars need include:

  • Winter care.
  • Cabin air filter.
  • Air conditioning.
  • Brake fluid test.
  • Tire rotation.

What Is Uber Luxury?

Uber Luxury is one of Uber’s premium services that offer rides in luxury vehicles. With commercial driver’s licenses and commercial insurance, Uber Luxury cars have access to roads only accessible to taxi drivers.

That means riders can have safer and faster rides, especially to airports.

The drivers need to follow a strict dress code to qualify and greet the rider in their high-end cars. They need to have a commercial driver’s license and pass more tests and background checks than other Uber drivers. These tests include physical exams, education, or fingerprinting.

Final Thoughts

Tesla cars are among the best options for Uber. While they’re high-end, they’re low-maintenance and incur lower fuel costs.

That’s why you can earn a good income by driving for Tesla. In addition, you can sign up for more lucrative Tesla services like Uber Black to get more tips and higher fares.

Even if you don’t own a Tesla, you can rent one from Tesla’s rental partnership and experience earning money by riding a Tesla.