Ridesharing Benefits

There are many benefits to ridesharing, some more obvious than others. If you're not sure if ridesharing is for you, consider the following.

Cost Savings

When you rideshare, you will drive less and save money on reduced maintenance costs (e.g., less frequent oil and air filter changes), gasoline, and some insurance companies offer rideshare participants reduced auto insurance rates.

The American Automobile Association estimates that it costs the average driver of a 2022 model year midsize sedan who drives 15,000 miles per year, 0.72 cents a mile for maintenance, insurance, license, registration, depreciation, finance charges, and taxes.

Improved air quality

Ridesharing helps to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, which in turn reduces vehicular air pollution.

Passenger cars and light trucks are considered the largest contributors to air quality problems in the United States. Highway vehicles contribute to the emissions of volatile organic compound (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), total nitrogen oxide (NOx), and nationwide greenhouse gases.

Ground level ozone is produced when hydrocarbons react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight under sustained elevated temperatures. Ground level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog, contributes to respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Sustained exposure to high ozone levels can lead to permanent lung damage.

Exposure to elevated atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide can be particularly dangerous to people with heart disease as it can reduce the flow of oxygen into the bloodstream.

Acid rain is also formed when excess nitrogen and sulfur dioxide pollutants in the atmosphere react with oxygen to form various acidic compounds. Acid rain can disrupt natural ecosystems and deteriorate manmade structures.

Conserves energy

According to U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates for 2022, 66 percent of the petroleum used in the U.S. was used by the transportation sector and roughly 43 percent was consumed by passenger cars and light trucks.

Although vehicles are becoming more fuel-efficient, reducing overall driving through ridesharing remains an effective way to conserve non-renewable energy resources.

Ridesharing can save you time

Ridesharing may shorten commute times by allowing access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, helping drivers avoid heavy traffic.