Uber rescinded automated surge pricing as soon as it learned of Chelsea bombing

By Bruce Brown Published September 20, 2016

uber rider driver ratings — Image used with permission by copyright holder

When an explosive device went off in New York City Saturday evening, Uber’s surge pricing was rescinded almost as quickly as it was instituted. A bomb that injured 29 people prompted many people to call for rides via Uber’s app, tripping the automatic system that institutes surge pricing. When Uber learned of the bombing a few minutes later, it immediately removed the price increases, according to Fortune.

The bomb exploded around 9:30 p.m. ET. A date stamped Tweet from @Uber_NYC at 9:46 p.m. read, “Surge pricing has been turned off in the #Chelsea #explosion area. Allow extra time for drivers to navigate due to road closures. Stay Safe.”

Recommended Videos

The relatively fast surge pricing reversal wasn’t reflected in tweets by some riders who were upset about the price bumps. Tweets up to three hours later complained about higher pricing. Fortune reported, however, “… it’s unclear if the customers are misinformed or just posted their complaints well after the ride …”

It also looks like Uber will refund anyone who paid surge prices in the Chelsea area during the short time the higher fares were in effect. A tweet from @travelintechguy read, “@Uber just lost my business for triple charging in #NYC after last night’s terror bombing #Ubersucks.” Uber responded shortly thereafter with “@travelintechguy Surge pricing was disabled in the area following the explosion. Let’s DM to make sure you weren’t charged in error.”

While on the one hand, it may make economic sense to use surge pricing to incentivize Uber drivers to head toward a disaster area, riders and public officials don’t like it. After a hostage incident in Sydney, Australia in 2014 when surge pricing was instituted and roundly criticized, Uber apologized for the price increase, saying it was “truly sorry.”

Also in 2014, Uber entered into an agreement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to have its policies comply with state law that protects consumers from price increases during disasters.

Topics

Contributing Editor

Bruce Brown Contributing Editor As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…

Cars

Hyundai’s brand new Ioniq 9 EV features backseat lounge

hyundai ioniq 9 lounge 4 single image desktop

After months of teasing details about the Ioniq 9, Hyundai’s much-anticipated, three-row electric SUV, the company finally unveiled it at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

One of the Ioniq 9’s promised features -- that the SUV had the ability to offer a lounge-like interior – had most of us wondering what exactly that might mean.

Cars

Kia America COO says ending EV tax credit would be dumb

kia coo ending ev incentive dumb zeta evs

With Kia just getting started with the expansion of its U.S.-made electric-vehicle (EV) lineup, the automaker may have a good perspective on what losing tax incentives on EVs could mean for the industry and the economy.

The transition team of the incoming Trump administration is reportedly planning to end the federal $7,500 tax credit on the purchase or lease of an EV. Under the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), an EV made in North America is eligible for the incentive.

Cars

Mercedes bets solar paint is part of EV-charging future

mercedes solar paint evs benz electric camper

It’s been said that Albert Einstein’s genius came from his ability to freely wonder and ask child-like questions way before he even tried applying science-based solutions.
It seems some within the R&D department at Mercedes-Benz might be similarly inspired. The German automaker is currently developing a special solar paint that, when applied on the surface of vehicles, can harness enough energy from the sun to power up EVs.
The energy generated by the paint’s solar cells can be used for driving or fed directly into a high-voltage battery.
“The photovoltaic system is permanently active and also generates energy when the vehicle is switched off,” Mercedes says. “In the future, this could be a highly effective solution for increased electric range and fewer charging stops.”
The layer of paste to be applied on EVs is significantly thinner than a human hair, yet its photovoltaic cells are packed full of energy. Covering the surface of a mid-size SUV with the paint could produce enough energy for up to 7,456 miles per year under ideal conditions, Mercedes says.
This does imply being in geographic locations with plenty of sun hours during the day.
But even with less-than-ideal sun hours, the energy yielded can make a significant difference to EV charging. Mercedes says the solar-paint charge could provide 100% of needed energy for an average daily drive of 32 miles in sun-drenched Los Angeles. In much less sunny conditions -- such as around Mercedes’ headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany -- it would still yield enough energy for 62% of the distance.
An added bonus for environmentally-conscious drivers: Unlike some solar panels, the solar paint contains no rare earth or silicon – only non-toxic, readily available raw materials. It’s also easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules, Mercedes says.
The likes of Aptera, Sono Motors, Lightyear, and Hyundai have also been researching how to best harness solar energy to power up EVs.
But that’s been mostly through solar panels yielding enough energy for small and light vehicles, such as Aptera’s three-wheel solar EV. Solar paint could bring solar charging for bigger vehicles, such as electric SUVs, Mercedes says.