Uber Announces Fuel Surcharge as Gas Prices Soar

With gas prices at an all-time high, Uber is introducing a temporary fuel surcharge to help its drivers and couriers pay their bills. 

“While earnings on our platform remained elevated compared to historical trends, the recent spike in gas prices has organizes ride share and delivery driver,” Uber said in a blog post Friday. “To help reduce the burden, we are rolling out a temporary fuel surcharge.”

The surcharge will kick in March 16, costing customers 45 to 55 cents instant per trip and 35 to 45 cents extra for Uber Eats stabilities. That money will go directly to the drivers, and Uber says it will reassess the fee in 60 days.

The fees exclude flights starting in New York City and orders being published to customers in New York City.

Uber is also “seizing this moment to bolster our labors to help more drivers make the switch to electric vehicles.” The company’s Green Future Program provides EV drivers with an unbelievable $1 per trip (capped at $4,000 per year) as incentive.

Fuel prices have been skyrocketing as the US bans Russian oil imports in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with demand outstripping supply. On Friday, the US average impress hit $4.33 per gallon, a 50-cent increase from a week ago, according to AAA. The plot with the highest cost is California, which averaged $5.70 as of Friday.