Driving for Uber? Check Out the Toyota bZ4X!

Drivers for Uber and other ridesharing services require reliable, comfortable, and efficient vehicles. Given Toyota’s reputation for building incredibly dependable cars and SUVs, it is no surprise that Toyota models are commonly found shuttling passengers around the New York City metropolitan area. However, Toyota’s latest model might be the best yet. The Toyota bZ4X is a fully electric SUV that’s roughly the same size as the popular RAV4, and it’s eligible for UberX, Uber Comfort, and Uber Comfort Electric. This SUV will let you transport passengers, their shopping, and their luggage in style while saving you money on operating costs, and the team here at Westchester Toyota can’t wait to show you everything that it has to offer thrifty rideshare drivers.

What Is the Toyota bZ4X?

The name “bZ4X” might sound like a mouthful, but it tells you everything you need to know about this surprising model. It stands for “Beyond Zero RAV4-Size Crossover,” with “Beyond Zero” being the name for Toyota’s new generation of all-electric vehicles. Measuring 184.6 in in overall length, this five-seat compact SUV is a touch longer than the RAV4, making it a roomy and agile vehicle for the streets of NYC. Inside, it offers 38.6 in of front legroom, 37.1 in of rear legroom, and 27.7 cu.ft. of trunk space, so you will have plenty of space for passengers and their cargo, even if they’re heading to LaGuardia with suitcases.

As a fully electric vehicle, the bZ4X doesn’t have a gasoline engine but instead relies on a large battery pack and electric motors for propulsion. Two different powertrain configurations are available. The standard model comes with a 71.4 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor powering the front axle. This is the more affordable and slightly more efficient option. You can also upgrade to a 72.8 kWh battery pack with electric motors on both axles for all-wheel drive performance. Many Uber drivers prefer the front-wheel drive model, but if you want superior handling in New York winters, remember that all-wheel drive is available.

One of the major advantages of an all-electric powertrain is that it produces zero emissions, which is particularly important in densely populated areas like NYC. In order to increase the number of zero-emissions vehicles on the streets, NYC has launched the Green Rides Initiative, which aims to convert 100% of rideshare vehicles to zero-emissions models by 2030. The plan starts by requiring 5% of rideshare trips to be made with zero-emissions vehicles in 2024, and ramps up from there. By opting for the bZ4X, you will be one of those zero-emissions drivers and have the potential to be prioritized for customers as Uber raises the percentage of zero-emissions trips.

How Does the bZ4X Save You Money?

One of the top concerns for rideshare drivers is keeping operating costs low. Toyota’s lineup of efficient gasoline and hybrid models is popular because they burn relatively little gas and are extremely reliable. But the bZ4X goes a step further. Because it is an all-electric vehicle, you obviously will not need to pay for gasoline; however, it also requires even less maintenance than a standard Toyota model. Because electric vehicles do not require oil changes and regenerative braking puts less strain on the mechanical brakes, there is very little scheduled maintenance to worry about. In fact, the service schedule only calls for visually inspecting the vehicle and rotating the tires every 5,000 miles, replacing the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, and changing the heater coolant at 100,000 miles.

When it comes to fuel costs, the 2023 bZ4X is rated at 119 MPGe, using an estimated 28 kWh of electricity every 100 miles. That’s twice as efficient as the Toyota Prius and four times more efficient than the RAV4. With the average electricity rate in Yonkers currently hovering around 28¢ per kWh, it costs around $7.80 to drive 100 miles in the bZ4X. In contrast, with gas costing around $3.60 per gallon, it would cost roughly $12.00 in an RAV4. If you drive 50,000 miles a year (not an uncommon number for a full-time Uber driver), you will spend around $6,000 on gasoline with an RAV4 but just $3,900 on electricity with a bZ4X. That’s an extra $2,100 worth of profit that goes directly into your pockets, even before considering that the RAV4 would need 10 oil changes in that time.

bZ4X Range and Charging

The most significant difference in driving an EV rather than a gasoline model (other than the large savings on operating expenses) is thinking about range and charging. Fortunately, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X has plenty of range and is convenient to charge. The standard front-wheel drive model is rated for 252 miles of range, while the all-wheel drive version gets an estimated 228 miles of range. Given that even driving 50,000 miles a year, five days a week, only works out to 192 miles a day, you will likely never need to recharge your bZ4X while you are on the clock. Instead, you can charge at home while you sleep and start each day with a full battery. That might even mean you can get another ride in rather than swinging by the charging station to top off before you begin driving.

When charging at home, the bZ4X uses a standard J1772 plug for Level 1 or Level 2 charging. Level 1 charging is the slowest option, taking roughly 50 hours to recharge from empty to 100%, but it only requires a standard 120V household outlet, making it a convenient way to get some range in an emergency. Level 2 charging is what most EV owners rely on, and a Level 2 charger can be easily installed in any home with 240V service. It can bring the bZ4X from empty to 100% in approximately 9.5 hours, which is perfect for recharging while you sleep. There are also Level 2 public charging stations, and it can be a good idea to learn where they are located so you can plug in and get a little more range while you are waiting for your next Uber fare.
The final charging option is Level 3 DC Fast Charging, which is only found at public charging stations. The bZ4X is compatible with CCS charging stations, which includes most independent public charging networks, as well as Tesla Superchargers fitted with a Magic Dock adapter.
Using DC Fast Charging, front-wheel drive bZ4X models can recharge at a rate of up to 150 kW, taking the battery from empty to 80% in just 30 minutes. All-wheel drive models are limited to charging at 100 kW, which means they take approximately an hour to reach 80% state of charge. In general, you will not want to rely on DC Fast Charging as a rideshare driver, but it is a handy option to have if you are running low on range and want to get a few more fares in rather than call it a day.

Let Us Show You the bZ4X!

If you want to take your rideshare gig to the next level, the bZ4X is here to help. Toyota is renowned for building some of the most reliable and efficient vehicles on the road, making the brand a go-to choice for Uber drivers. That same legacy of dependability underpins the new bZ4X, which means it’s a smart choice for drivers looking to go electric and keep more money in their pockets. Not having to pay for gasoline and regular oil changes can mean thousands of extra dollars of profit for an Uber driver, and the convenience of not needing to visit a gas station can even help you squeeze more rides into your schedule. If you are interested in seeing the bZ4X for yourself, swing by Westchester Toyota and let us show you everything that it has to offer!

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