Uber boosts US fuel discounts and driver incentives amid rising petrol prices
- Perry Richardson
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
Uber has announced a temporary expansion of fuel discounts and driver incentives across the United States, as rising petrol prices place increasing financial strain on rideshare and delivery drivers.
The measures, outlined in a company press release, will run until 26 May 2026 and include enhanced per-gallon fuel savings, increased cashback rates and additional promotional incentives. The move comes as fuel costs remain volatile due to global supply pressures, with drivers facing reduced margins on trips and deliveries.
Uber said drivers and couriers will now be able to access significantly higher fuel savings through partnerships with Upside and Shell. Discounts via Upside have been increased to as much as $1.00 per gallon, up from a previous cap of 25 cents, depending on driver tier. Shell Fuel Rewards discounts have also been raised to a maximum of 21 cents per gallon.
These offers can be combined with benefits from the Uber Pro Card, allowing drivers to stack savings. According to Uber, top-tier drivers could achieve total savings of up to $1.44 per gallon when all available discounts and cashback incentives are applied, based on an average fuel price of $3.97 per gallon.
Expanded cashback, per-gallon savings and short-term incentives aim to offset cost pressures for drivers and couriers
Cashback rates on fuel purchases have also been increased across all driver tiers. Entry-level drivers will now receive 7% cashback, rising to as much as 11% for top-tier drivers. Additional bonuses of up to 4% are available at selected fuel brands, including Exxon and Mobil, bringing potential maximum cashback to 15%.
Alongside fuel savings, Uber said it is increasing promotional incentives and earnings opportunities for drivers and couriers. While specific details were not disclosed, the company stated the measures are designed to help ensure earnings “keep pace with higher gas prices”.
The announcement highlights ongoing cost pressures in the US gig economy transport sector, where fuel remains one of the largest operating expenses for drivers. Short-term incentive schemes such as these are often used by platform operators to maintain driver supply during periods of economic volatility.
Uber also used the update to reiterate its longer-term strategy of supporting drivers transitioning to electric vehicles. The company said it currently has around 286,000 monthly active zero-emission vehicle drivers globally, positioning it as the largest EV fleet among ride-hailing platforms.
