Making Uber cheaper in South Africa

Uber drivers could realise significant fuel savings by converting their vehicle to an alternative like liquified petroleum gas (LPG), enabling them to earn more per kilometre once they have paid off the relevant LPG kit and installation costs.
Some companies in South Africa sell LPG conversions for popular cars, and one such company, Isinkwe Energies, sells Prins Silverline VSI conversion kits for around R33,293, including installation and VAT.
Ride-hailing drivers are directly impacted by fuel prices, which have been relatively high in South Africa in recent years.
Moreover, petrol prices increased slightly in January 2025, and a more significant increase is anticipated in February.
Companies like Uber must keep their prices competitive, which can result in lower margins for drivers.
While converting their cars to LPG comes at a substantial upfront cost, LPG fuel prices are significantly lower than petrol prices in South Africa.
For reference, the unleaded 95 price for January 2025 is R21.59 per litre for motorists refuelling inland and R20.80 per litre for those who refuel at the coast.
In comparison, Isinkwe Energies managing director Kyle Hartley previously told BusinessTech that LPG prices are around R12 per litre inland and around R14 per litre at the coast.
MyBroadband calculated how much Uber drivers could save on fuel per month by converting to LPG, based on various average monthly travel distances in Gauteng and at the coast.
According to Everlance, the average Uber driver achieves a mileage of around 20,000 miles per year or just over 32,000km.
However, this figure can vary in different markets and per driver.
We calculated the cost difference between LPG and unleaded 95 for drivers covering various yearly distances, from 20,000km to 80,000km.
Our analysis revealed that Uber drivers in Gauteng could save nearly R1,000 per month by converting to LPG on the lower end of the mileage scale, while those who travel further can realise higher savings.
Those who travel 40,000km per year, or around 3,333km per month in Gauteng, will save nearly R2,000 in fuel costs.
The savings for Uber drivers on the coast are markedly lower due to the lower price of unleaded fuel at the coast and the slightly higher price of LPG.
Still, those on the lower end of the mileage scale will save close to R630 per month in fuel. This figure increases to nearly R1,300 for drivers who travel around 40,000km per year, or 3,333km per month.
The table below compares LPG and Unleaded 95 costs for drivers who travel between 20,000km and 80,000km per year in Gauteng.
Annual mileage | Monthly mileage | Litres (unleaded 95) | Cost (unleaded 95) | Litres (LPG) | Cost (LPG) | Price difference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20,000km | 1,666.67km | 116.67â„“ | R2,518.91 | 128.36â„“ | R1,540.32 | R978.59 |
30,000km | 2,500.00km | 175.00â„“ | R3,778.25 | 192.50â„“ | R2,310.00 | R1,468.25 |
40,000km | 3,333.34km | 233.34â„“ | R5,037.81 | 256.67â„“ | R3,080.04 | R1,957.77 |
50,000km | 4,166.67km | 291.67â„“ | R6,297.16 | 320.86â„“ | R3,850.32 | R2,446.84 |
60,000km | 5,000.00km | 350.00â„“ | R7,556.50 | 385.00â„“ | R4,620.00 | R2,936.50 |
70,000km | 5,833.34km | 408.38â„“ | R8,816.92 | 449.17â„“ | R5,390.04 | R3,426.88 |
80,000km | 6,666.67km | 466.67â„“ | R10,075.41 | 513.34â„“ | R6,160.08 | R3,915.33 |
The table below compares LPG and Unleaded 95 costs for drivers who travel between 20,000km and 80,000km per year at the coast.
Annual mileage | Monthly mileage | Litres (unleaded 95) | Cost (unleaded 95) | Litres (LPG) | Cost (LPG) | Price difference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20,000km | 1666.67km | 116.67â„“ | R2,426.74 | 128.36â„“ | R1,797.04 | R629.70 |
30,000km | 2500.00km | 175.00â„“ | R3,640.00 | 192.50â„“ | R2,695.00 | R945.00 |
40,000km | 3333.34km | 233.34â„“ | R4,853.47 | 256.67â„“ | R3,593.38 | R1,260.09 |
50,000km | 4166.67km | 291.67â„“ | R6,066.74 | 320.86â„“ | R4,492.04 | R1,574.70 |
60,000km | 5000.00km | 350.00â„“ | R7,280.00 | 385.00â„“ | R5,390.00 | R1,890.00 |
70,000km | 5833.34km | 408.38â„“ | R8,494.30 | 449.17â„“ | R6,288.38 | R2,205.92 |
80,000km | 6666.67km | 466.67â„“ | R9,706.74 | 513.34â„“ | R7,186.76 | R2,519.98 |
Paying for the system
Many drivers considering the switch will be concerned about the cost of the LPG conversion kit and installation.
MyBroadband calculated how long it would take for Uber drivers with varying activity levels to pay off these costs with fuel savings.
As the savings are markedly higher for drivers in Gauteng, the time paid to cover the system costs is significantly lower.
Those completing 20,000km worth of trips per year in Gauteng can expect to pay off the system in 34 months, or just under three years, purely through fuel savings.
Those who drive double the mileage each year will be in the green after 17 months, or just under a year and a half, of using the system.
On the higher end of the scale, those completing 80,000km or more worth of trips per year will pay off their system in eight-and-a-half months or less.
At the coast, drivers who achieve around 20,000km of mileage per year can expect to pay off their system in just under 52 months, or four years and four months.
The chart below shows how long it will take Uber drivers who convert to LPG to pay off the kit and installation costs through their monthly savings based on their annual mileage and whether they operate in Gauteng or at the coast.
