High wheels, high costs: Ride-hailing drivers rely heavily on rental vehicles, but weekly fees can swallow a big portion of their earnings. Picture Credits: Istock
By Aisha Zardad
South Africa – For many South Africans looking to earn a living through ride-hailing, buying a car is often out of reach. To bridge the gap, Uber offers rental options starting from as low as R2,000–R2,300 per week, giving drivers access to vehicles without the upfront cost of ownership.
Uber’s vehicle marketplace lists cars for rent in three main ways: a fixed weekly rental, fixed earnings, or an earnings-share model. Drivers who choose weekly rentals pay a set amount and keep the full share of their fares (minus Uber’s 25% commission), while the fixed earnings model offers a set salary. The earnings-share option requires only a refundable deposit, with a percentage of fares going to the vehicle provider.
Some rental packages even cover fuel, insurance, and maintenance, helping drivers focus on earning. However, many still voice complaints about high costs and limited options.
Most Affordable Cars on Uber’s Marketplace
The cheapest weekly rental vehicles include:
- Hyundai Grand i10 – R2,000
- Suzuki S-Presso – R2,000
- Nissan Almera – R2,000
- Renault Kwid – R2,000
- Renault Sandero – R2,000
- Toyota Agya – R2,300 (Uber’s own option)
Other popular models, like the Volkswagen Polo or Kia Picanto, can cost between R2,400 and R3,000 per week. Luxury options such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz start from R5,000 weekly.
Breaking Even Can Be Tough – Earnings depend heavily on trip distance, demand, and timing. For example, a 5km Uber Go trip in Pretoria earns around R75, but after Uber’s commission and fuel costs, the net earning drops to R51.15. To cover the R2,000 weekly rental of an S-Presso, drivers would need to cover about 196km—or roughly 39 short trips.
This highlights the fine balance drivers must maintain between covering rental costs and maximizing earnings. While the Uber rental system opens doors for many to join the platform, profitability requires careful planning and long hours on the road.
