Uber Drivers Can Now Use Their App To Find the Cheapest Gas Station

A small benefit given that gas is the driver's responsibility as an 'independent contractor.' And as the following article reports, dependence on the Uber ecosystem discourages alternative behavior, though some may wonder at what point such dependence becomes employment. At least until they are all replaced by self-driving cars. JL

Andrew Hawkins reports in The Verge:

Not only will the app show drivers where the cheapest gas prices are, it will also provide step-by-step, GPS-enabled directions to those stations. It's another example of Uber trying to keep both drivers and riders within its own ecosystem for needs associated with their trips.
Uber drivers looking for that coveted $2.25-gallon of gas can now conduct their search from within the ride-hail company's app. Uber announced a new feature for its driver-facing app called Fuel Finder, which drivers can use to search gas prices nearest to them. The update will be available to all drivers in the US by the end of the week.
Not only will the app show drivers where the cheapest gas prices are, it will also provide step-by-step, GPS-enabled directions to those stations. Previously, drivers would just pull into the nearest station when their tank was running low, or could use apps like GasBuddy to locate cheap per-gallon prices nearby. It's another example of Uber trying to keep both drivers and riders within its own ecosystem for needs associated with their trips.

Uber

Gas, of course, is one of the many expenses that Uber drivers have to pay themselves — as well as insurance and vehicle maintenance — thanks to their status as independent contractors. Some drivers sought to challenge that classification through a class action lawsuit. But the case could soon be settled after Uber agreed to pay up to $100 million to drivers and implement some internal reforms to address complaints about tipping and deactivations. Under the agreement, though, drivers will stay freelance and will not be reclassified as employees.