Weekly Roundup: Rising Gas Prices Are Pushing Drivers Off the Road

Rising gas prices push drivers off the road Uber acquires luxury chauffeur startup. The “Go Electric” EV grant expands nationwide. Uber’s CEO confirms tens of thousands of Teslas are running FSD. Waymo eyes a future in personally-owned vehicles. We break it all down for you.

Rising Gas Prices Are Pushing Drivers Off the Road

Source: Inc Magazine

For the first time since 2022, the national average for regular gas has topped $4 a gallon, up more than a dollar in just the past month, and rideshare drivers are feeling it immediately. With drivers on the road responsible for their own fuel costs and rideshare companies not doing much to subsidize fares, many are pausing or quitting as margins shrink. Unlike in 2022, Uber and Lyft have not reinstated a fuel surcharge, opting instead for modest cash-back perks through their debit card programs.

• Global supply disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz have impacted roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, pushing crude above $100 per barrel and sending pump prices sharply higher.

• Uber offers $1 off per gallon via Upside plus 5% back on the Uber Pro card; Lyft offers up to 2% back through Lyft Direct; DoorDash’s Crimson card offers 10% back on gas purchases.

• In 2022, both platforms introduced a 50-cent fuel surcharge passed onto riders. Companies appear unwilling to repeat that move this time around, leaving drivers to absorb most of the cost increase.

Uber Acquires Blacklane to Power Its New ‘Uber Elite’ Service

Source: TechCrunch

Uber has announced the acquisition of Berlin-based luxury chauffeur startup Blacklane, which was founded in 2011 and has raised over $100 million from backers including Sixt, Mercedes-Benz, and UAE conglomerate ALFAHIM. The deal is pending regulatory approval and is expected to close by year-end. It directly bolsters Uber Elite, the company’s recently launched premium service currently live in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with New York City coming soon.

• Blacklane operates across major cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and North America, giving Uber an immediate global footprint in executive travel.

• Uber Elite bundles chauffeur service with premium perks like in-vehicle amenities, airport meet-and-greets, and 24/7 phone support, targeting corporate and high-net-worth travelers.

• Financial terms were not disclosed, but the move signals Uber’s intent to compete seriously at the premium end of the market.

Uber’s ‘Go Electric’ EV Grant Now Available Nationwide, Up to $6,500 in Savings

Source: Electrek

Uber has expanded its “Go Electric” EV grant to all U.S. drivers after a successful pilot in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York City. Drivers can now receive up to $4,000 toward a used EV purchase, with additional partner savings pushing the total to $6,500. Applications begin processing on April 16, 2026.

• Uber partnered with Kia to offer drivers $1,000 off the Niro EV or EV6 and $1,500 off the EV9; purchasing through TrueCar adds another $1,000 in savings on top of the grant.

• Over 286,000 EVs are now active on Uber’s global network, up from around 200,000 last October, and Uber drivers are switching to EVs up to 5x faster than the average U.S. motorist.

• Rising gas prices are accelerating both rider demand for electric trips and driver interest in making the switch, making the timing of this expansion especially relevant.

Uber CEO Confirms Tens of Thousands of Teslas Are Using FSD on the Platform

Source: Business Insider

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed in a recent podcast that tens of thousands of Tesla vehicles are active on the platform, with some drivers using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system during rides. There are currently no laws prohibiting ride-hail drivers from using ADAS on the job. Uber’s policy does require drivers to keep at least one hand on the wheel while any driver assistance system is engaged.

• Tesla’s FSD is a supervised system, not full autonomy. A 2024 Reuters report cited at least one incident where an Uber driver crashed into an SUV while FSD was activated.

• Tesla has faced legal scrutiny over its ADAS features. A Florida jury found the company partially liable in a 2019 Autopilot crash, and a California judge ruled Tesla misled consumers with the “Autopilot” name.

• Khosrowshahi said he would welcome Tesla’s unsupervised robotaxis on the Uber platform once their cameras-only approach is proven safe. Uber already partners with 12+ robotaxi operators including Waymo, Zoox, and Pony.AI.

Waymo Says Its Self-Driving Tech Will Eventually Come to Personal Cars

Source: Business Insider

Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov recently shared that the company sees a clear path toward putting its robotaxi technology into personally-owned vehicles. Waymo currently delivers 500,000 paid rides per week across 10 U.S. metro areas and announced a strategic partnership with Toyota back in April 2025 to explore exactly this kind of consumer integration.

• Dolgov noted that personal vehicles equipped with Waymo technology make the most sense in lower-density areas where running a commercial ride-hail service would not be economically viable.

• Beyond personal vehicles, Waymo is also exploring licensing its autonomous tech to other automakers as an additional revenue stream outside of ride-hailing.

• For rideshare drivers, the long-term implication is worth watching. If Waymo-grade autonomy reaches consumer cars, the line between professional driver and autonomous vehicle owner starts to blur.

QUICK HITS

• DoorDash is investing $200M in a robot delivery startup. – WSJ

• Alto launches an all-electric fleet in Dallas ahead of the World Cup. – NBC DFW

• Want to learn more about the robotaxi industry? Subscribe to The Driverless Digest, our new newsletter and podcast dedicated to the future of autonomous vehicles.

Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content

Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos:

• RSG268: Uber’s NEXT Big Move? Taxis!

• “I’ll Tip You in the App…” Why Drivers Hate Hearing This

• If Uber Wants to Fix Things… Start HERE

• DoorDash Shopping Orders Explained (Most Drivers Are Doing This WRONG)

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