Doordash has launched a gasoline rewards program aimed toward serving to supply drivers mitigate the excessive value of gas. While it’s higher than nothing, it’s extra sophisticated and probably much less impactful than the gas surcharges not too long ago added by Uber and Lyft.
Beginning on March seventeenth, drivers for Doordash will be capable to obtain 10% cashback on gasoline purchases, although provided that they’re enrolled within the firm’s personal DasherDirect Visa playing cards. On prime of that, drivers who drive a certain quantity of miles per week will qualify for weekly gasoline rewards, starting from $5 to $15 per week. Unlocking the $5 low cost requires drivers to finish not less than 100 miles value of journeys in every week. Drivers who whole greater than 225 miles value of journeys will earn a $15 weekly bonus. Some Dashers simply soar previous that—Gridwise calculated that the typical courier on the platform traveled anyplace from 75 to 290 miles per day—however others have give up the platform in current weeks as a result of rising gasoline costs. One viral TikTok video by a Dasher confirmed her earnings amounted to roughly $6 an hour after deducting the worth of gasoline.
Like most supply platforms like Instacart and UberEats, Doordash drivers are answerable for gas prices and the upkeep and care of their car. But earnings can differ tremendously per week due fluctuating demand, how a lot prospects select to tip and gasoline prices. When gasoline costs are excessive, drivers usually should do a cost-benefit evaluation on the fly, as TheRideShareGuy notes.
Both Uber and Lyft not too long ago unveiled gasoline surcharges with the intention to account for prime gas costs — which not like DoorDash opted to move the extra expense onto prospects. Uber drivers will obtain anyplace from $0.45 to $0.55 a visit. A 2019 examine by Uber ex-chief economist John List discovered that the typical Uber driver makes slightly below 30 journeys every week. This quantities to roughly an additional $13.50 per week to assist with gasoline. While not insignificant, the additional revenue might not do a lot to offset the prices of drivers in states like California the place the typical has crept as much as $6 a gallon.