In reaction to rising gas prices, Uber is imposing a premium on fares and deliveries in the United States and Canada, the firm announced on Friday.
Uber drivers will be charged $0.45 to $0.55 each trip, and Uber Eats deliveries will be charged $0.35 to $0.45, according to the firm. The fees are only in effect for a period of at least two months.
The payments, according to the firm, will be paid by drivers, who are responsible for paying for the petrol they use.
The surcharges can vary depending on the distance traveled and the price of gasoline in each state. They won’t apply in New York City since drivers received a 5.3 percent wage raise on March 1 to account for rising gas prices, according to Uber.
“While our platform’s earnings continue to outperform historical averages, the recent increase in gas prices has impacted ridesharing and delivery drivers. We’re implementing a temporary fuel tax to assist alleviate the load,” Uber’s Head of Driver Operations for the United States and Canada, Liza Winship, wrote in a blog post on Friday.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, gas prices across the country have reached all-time highs, and energy prices have skyrocketed.
The company stated that it encourages its drivers to utilize electric vehicles and that converting to an electric vehicle can earn drivers up to $4,000 extra per year. Uber has cautioned that its pricing policy may alter in the coming months as gas prices fluctuate.