Automakers have been trying to get in on the recognition that’s ridesharing for awhile. Whereas the outcomes have been combined, some like Ford are nonetheless making an attempt. The automaker has a novel program for rideshare drivers that’ll allow them to drive a Mustang Mach-E, however it’s not low cost.
This system is named Ford Drive. Whereas the location says it’s solely accessible in L.A., San Francisco and San Diego, it’s supposedly accessible throughout California. Which is to say, it’s solely accessible in California for now and is barely accessible to people who’re already driving for Uber. It permits drivers to enroll and pay for Mustang Mach-Es to make use of for rideshare.
As with most of those applications, insurance coverage and upkeep are all bundled into the worth. Ford makes use of typical phrases like “flexibility”, “all-inclusive” and “financial savings” to explain this system whereas touting how simple it’s to enroll. And that is all true. Drivers can enroll — there’s additionally a comfortable credit score test and a minimal rating of 600 — select their pricing package deal after which schedule to choose up their Mach-E. Together with the credit score rating requirement, drivers have to fulfill just some different necessities earlier than they’ll enroll: be an present Uber driver, have a minimal rating score of 4.9 and have accomplished a minimal of 100 journeys. The issue is the worth.
Drivers can select between two weekly plans. The most affordable is the usual plan which was as soon as $289 however has now been dropped to $259/week. That comes with 500 miles and 20 cents for each mile over that. In the event you’re going to be doing extra driving, there’s the premium plan. It was $389/week however that’s been lowered to $309/week. That plan will get drivers limitless miles. Each include no down cost and embrace auto insurance coverage, upkeep and the power to change plans at any time. So mainly, determine simply over $1,000/month for the essential plan and $1,236 to get the plan with limitless miles.
What’s wild is that proper now, every single Mach-E lease is a greater deal than all the Ford Drive program. The most affordable Mach-E lease in Southern California proper now’s $319 a month for 36 months on a Mach-E Choose. One might even go all-out on efficiency with the Mach-E GT and nonetheless come out cheaper than Ford Drive. Proper now, you may lease a ‘24 Mach-E GT for $487/month for 36 months with 10,500 annual miles. Or if you wish to get slidey the brand new Mach-E Rally is accessible for $540 a month with the identical phrases because the GT. Some might say that this value is true what it ought to be when you embrace insurance coverage.
Even with insurance coverage although you’ll nonetheless come out forward with an everyday lease. I managed to work up a quote with Allstate on a Mach-E Choose. Remember California automobile insurance coverage charges are a bit nuts proper now as a result of the insurance coverage business is freaking out because they actually have to do what people are paying them to do. Even with driver low cost and full protection and 15,000 miles a 12 months, I used to be quoted $591 a month. Add within the present Mach-E Choose lease and also you’re at $979 a month, $57 cheaper than the essential Ford Drive plan.
I reached out to Ford to see if the automaker had any plan to supply any cheaper weekly tiers and can replace this after they get again to me. Now I’m not saying exit and lease this factor and use it to ride-share. Nevertheless if you end up on this as a ride-share driver, do your self a favor and ensure you know what you’re stepping into. Simply comprehend it’s actually cheaper to lease one from Ford as an alternative.
