GM is expanding Maven’s Chevy Bolt EV fleet for Uber and Lyft drivers

Maven, GM’s own car-sharing and mobility platform, has a special rental service called ‘Maven Gig’ just for ride-sharing drivers, like Lyft and Uber drivers.

The all-electric Chevy Bolt EV is already an important part of the program, but they are now expanding the vehicle’s presence as they expand Maven Gig across the US.

GM describes the program:

“Maven Gig vehicles are available for flat weekly rates that include the car, unlimited miles, insurance (minus deductibles) and maintenance. Having unlimited mileage and insurance to cover personal and commercial use are extremely important for drivers in the gig economy. Pricing starts at $189 plus taxes for a Chevrolet Cruze. Additional vehicles include the Chevrolet Malibu ($209 per week plus taxes), Trax ($219 per week plus taxes), Impala ($225 per week plus taxes) and Bolt EV ($229 per week plus taxes). The Chevrolet Bolt EV is available for reservation with free charging at EVgo stations for a limited time.”

The Bolt EV is definitely on the more expensive side, but with free charging and considering that those drivers have higher mileage than average, it could prove to be the cheapest option after gas savings.

Maven Gig even claims that drivers in Bolt EVs travel on average, 30% more miles per day than those in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

They already have 100 Bolt EVs in Los Angeles, but with the new expansion announced this month, they plan to double that number by the end of 2017. San Francisco will also double its fleet of Bolt EVs to more than 125 by the end of the year and Boston, which is part of the new cities to get Maven Gig, will start with 20 Bolt EVs.

Rachel Bhattacharya, Chief Growth Officer for Maven, commented:

“We are committed to bringing Bolt EVs to all Maven Gig markets. Drivers want the Bolt EV because of cost savings as well as helping with energy and environmental goals. The freelance economy is growing and Maven Gig is growing along with it to provide transportation solutions for freelance drivers.”

Baltimore, Detroit, Phoenix and Washington, D.C are also part of the Maven Gig expansion.

Electrek’s Take

Chevy Bolt EV deliveries in the US have been growing slowly since the launch last year and inventories have been piling up in a few markets. With Tesla starting Model 3 deliveries and Nissan about to launch the next generation of the Leaf, it could prove even more difficult going forward.

But if Maven’s programs continue to be successful, it could potentially be a good way to get people in the Bolt EV and market the vehicle that way.