When I first moved to Palo Alto in 2014, I didn't have my own car so I used Uber several times a week for almost a year. I would have to estimate at least a third of my UberX rides were in Priuses, and a few of my drivers had talked about how they had financed their Prius through something related to Uber. Since 2017, I honestly can't remember the last time I had an UberX driver with a Prius -- it's almost always Honda Civics/Accords or similarly low-priced vehicles.

It also seemed in 2014-2015 that far more of my drivers seemed happier, more professional, and enthusiastic about talking how much money they made. Nowadays I rarely if ever have that conversation.

If I understand correctly they were making significantly better money in that time frame.

The VC money that flowed into these drivers has essentially dried up as gig-economy startups push towards sustainability / profitability. As was predicted.

An Accord is not exactly a low-priced vehicle for regular middle class buyers.

> and enthusiastic about talking how much money they made

Do you get into a car and start having a conversation with the driver how much money they make? I can’t imagine anything more rude to do to a driver!

I have taxi drivers start these conversations far too often, usually several times a week.

It’s a shame that Uber seems to be encouraging their drivers to get less fuel efficient vehicles. Given the number of Uber/Lyft miles driven a year we could save a lot of carbon if they incentivized hybrids or EVs