Maximize Your Delivery Earnings in 2025: The Pros & Cons of eBikes, Scooters, and Cars

Choosing the right delivery vehicle in 2025 can make or break your gig work hustle. Whether you're on Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart, Grubhub, or Shipt, your ride affects how much you earn, how fast you move, and how tired you feel by the end of your shift.

With gas prices up, city rules tightening, and more drivers hitting the road, many are ditching cars in favor of eBikes and scooters. But is that the right move for you?

In this guide, we break down the pros and cons of eBikes, scooters, and cars—so you can pick the best setup for your location, workload, and budget.

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⚡eBike Delivery

Best For: Full-time or part-time couriers in bike-friendly cities like NYC, San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, and Boston.

✅ Pros

• Incredibly low operating costs
  No gas, no oil changes, and very minimal maintenance. Most riders pay just a few cents to charge a battery fully. Over time, that adds up to thousands in savings compared to a car.
• No need for insurance or registration
  In many regions, eBikes are classified like bicycles. That means no insurance premiums, no DMV hassles, and fewer liabilities.
• Access to bike lanes & shortcuts
  You can glide past car traffic using protected bike lanes and even pedestrian routes (where allowed), getting to customers much faster during peak hours.
• Fast, flexible parking
  No need to circle the block for a space. Lock up near the customer’s door and move on to your next delivery in seconds.

❌ Cons

• Weather is your biggest enemy
  Rain, snow, or intense cold can force you to cancel a shift or take safety risks. In many cities, winter riding is near impossible without serious prep.
• Physical limitations
  Even with pedal-assist, fatigue can set in during long shifts or hilly routes. Riders with mobility issues may find eBikes limiting.
• Limited cargo space
  You’ll need to get creative when carrying multiple orders. Grocery runs for Instacart or large stacked DoorDash orders might be too bulky.
• Battery anxiety
  Range is typically 25–50 miles. You’ll need to track your battery levels closely, especially on long shifts. Backup batteries help, but they’re expensive.
• Higher theft risk
  High-end eBikes are targets for thieves. Lock them well and consider GPS trackers.

Tip: Use an insulated delivery backpack and waterproof pannier bags. Always carry a backup power bank for your phone and bike lights.

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🛵 Electric Scooter Delivery

Best For: Urban part-time gig workers and compact cities with short delivery zones.

✅ Pros

• Ultra-portable and discreet
  Scooters are compact, foldable, and light—easy to carry indoors or into apartments between shifts.
• Cheapest to maintain
  Even less moving parts than eBikes. No chain, gears, or pedals. Just tires, brakes, and a battery.
• Quick charging
  Most e-scooters fully charge in 3–5 hours. You can top up during a lunch break or between shifts with a standard wall plug.
• Great for tight delivery zones
  In dense downtown areas, scooters can actually outperform bikes by navigating tight alleyways, short streets, and pedestrian-only zones.
• Low entry cost
  High-quality delivery-ready scooters start at $500–$900. You can start earning with a relatively small investment.

❌ Cons

• Shorter range
  Most electric scooters cap out at 15–30 miles. That’s fine for quick runs, but you may run out of juice mid-shift if you're not careful.
• Cargo challenges
  You’re limited to a delivery backpack. Large or heavy orders (e.g. 12-packs of soda) can be unsafe or unbalanced.
• Less speed and power
  Many scooters are capped at 15–18 mph. Acceleration is slower than bikes or cars, especially uphill.
• Less stable on bad roads
  Potholes, curbs, and slick surfaces can be dangerous. Always wear a helmet and avoid fast turns.
• No protection from weather
  You’ll face the same exposure risks as eBike riders—plus less control in wet or icy conditions.

Tip: Invest in a heavy-duty lock, bright handlebar lights, and reflective gear. Cities are cracking down on nighttime scooter safety.

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🚗 Car Delivery

Best For: Suburban and rural drivers, multi-appers, and Instacart or Shipt workers doing grocery and bulk runs.

✅ Pros

• Comfortable for long shifts
  Stay warm, dry, and comfortable during 6–12 hour blocks. No wind, no rain, no sweat.
• Haul anything
  From pizza stacks to 30-bag Costco runs—your car can handle whatever the gig throws at you.
• Flexible app stacking
  With a car, you can run Uber Eats + DoorDash + Instacart and switch between them based on demand.
• Works anywhere
  Whether you're downtown, in the suburbs, or rural areas, cars work everywhere. You’re not limited by infrastructure.
• Night and winter friendly
  Unlike eBikes and scooters, driving is viable year-round with good tires and headlights.

❌ Cons

• Expensive to operate
  Fuel, tires, insurance, oil, repairs—it all adds up. Gas prices in 2025 are still volatile, and EVs have high upfront costs.
• Insurance complications
  Most personal policies don’t cover gig work. Commercial or hybrid insurance may be required—especially if you get in an accident while active on the app.
• Traffic stress
  Getting stuck in rush hour or circling for parking can cut deep into your hourly rate.
• Ticket risk
  Street parking, expired meters, or illegal stops for quick drop-offs can lead to fines and deactivations.
• Higher startup cost
  Even a used delivery-ready vehicle will cost $4,000–$8,000. That’s a serious investment for many gig workers.

🧰 Delivery Car Must-Haves:

• Phone mountInsulated hot/cold bags
• Mileage tracking app (e.g., Hurdlr, Stride)
• Gas rewards (e.g., Upside, GetUpside)
• Dash cam for security

Tip: Consider hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius or plug-in EVs with rebates. They cost more upfront but save money long-term.

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🔁 Side-by-Side Comparison Chart

Which One Should You Choose?

There's no perfect vehicle for every gig worker. Your ideal delivery setup depends on:

• Where you live
• How many hours you work
• How much cargo you carry
• Your weather and terrain

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What’s the Best Delivery Vehicle by Location Type?

Where you work can matter more than how you work. A delivery setup that’s perfect in New York might be terrible in Phoenix. Below are 4 common U.S. city types with recommendations for which vehicle (eBike, scooter, or car) best suits local delivery conditions.

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Dense Urban Core (e.g. New York City, San Francisco, Chicago)

Recommended: eBike

Why eBike Wins:

• Traffic gridlock makes driving painful and parking nearly impossible.
• Cities like NYC and SF have protected bike lanes and legal bike delivery infrastructure.
• eBike incentives (like NYC’s eBike voucher programs for gig workers) reduce startup costs.
• Riders can average more deliveries per hour than cars, even with shorter range.

Consider:

• Carry waterproof gear for sudden weather shifts.
• Use apps like StreetSmarts or Komoot to plan safe delivery routes.

“In downtown Manhattan, I hit 3–4 orders per hour on my eBike. My car-driving friends barely do two.” — Adam, DoorDash Courier, NYC

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Sprawling Suburban City (e.g. Phoenix, Atlanta, Houston)

Recommended: Car

Why Cars Dominate:

• Delivery distances can be 5–15 miles apart. Bikes or scooters just can’t keep up.
• Lack of bike lanes and sidewalks makes cycling dangerous or impossible.
• Drive-thru-friendly zones allow you to pick up orders without leaving the car.
• Grocery apps like Instacart and Shipt thrive in these markets—orders are large and bulky.

Consider:

• Choose a hybrid or fuel-efficient car to reduce fuel costs.
• Use Para or Gridwise to track multi-app earnings and mileage.

“My average delivery trip is 7 miles. I can’t imagine doing that on two wheels in the Arizona heat.” — Luis, Uber Eats & Instacart, Phoenix

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Mid-Sized, Bike-Friendly City (e.g. Portland, Minneapolis, Denver)

Recommended: eBike or Scooter (depending on your zone)

Why It’s a Toss-Up:

• Bike and scooter infrastructure is strong in central zones—but less so in outlying neighborhoods.
• Cities like Portland have generous micromobility laws and charging infrastructure.
• Average delivery distances are 3–5 miles, ideal for eBikes or high-end scooters.

Best Strategy:

• Use a scooter if your zone is flat and compact (e.g. downtown Portland).
• Use an eBike for mixed terrains and longer shifts with more deliveries.

“I use a scooter for weekday evenings and my eBike for weekend brunch rush—both beat traffic every time.” — Jenna, Grubhub Rider, Minneapolis

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Tourist Hotspots & College Towns (e.g. Miami Beach, Boulder, Ann Arbor)

Recommended: Scooter

Why Scooters Excel:

• These cities often have dense foot traffic, making car delivery slow and inefficient.
• Scooters are fast to park, cheap to run, and ideal for short runs from local eateries.
• College towns have lower order sizes but higher order frequency—perfect for lightweight vehicles.

Bonus:

• Scooters are great for seasonal, part-time work where investment cost matters more than long-term range or cargo needs.

“In Boulder, everything is 2 miles away. I charge once a day and clear $20/hour just cruising downtown.” — Eli, Part-Time Uber Eats Scooter Rider

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