How to earn more during winter as a PCO driver

Winter, especially around Christmas, can be the busiest time of year for Uber drivers. With the cold making people less likely to walk, more choose to hop in a car over buses or trains to get to festive events.

During Christmas, people just want a fast, reliable ride – especially during bad weather or when there are train strikes. Plus, with public transport running less on bank holidays, lots of people rely on private hire drivers to get where they need to go.

With higher demand comes higher fares, making it a great chance to boost your earning potential. To help you make the most of this busy season, here are some easy tips to earn more and stay safe on the roads this winter.

• Essential checks for your EV in winter
• Tips to boost your EV range when it’s cold
• Plan your trips around popular spots
• Tips to increase your PCO earnings

Essential checks for your EV in winter

It’s always a good idea to make sure your electric car is in good shape, especially during the winter months. Whether you’re doing with snow, ice or heavy rain, the cold weather can cause extra problems when out on the roads. So it’s worth doing a few quick checks before you head out for the day. That way, you can avoid breakdowns or fines.

• Check your lights: Make sure all lights are working properly and aren’t dirty. Clean off any road salt, especially from under the car, to avoid damage to sensors and paintwork.
• Look at your battery: If you know you’re going to be working a long day, or do long trips, make sure you have enough battery. Make sure you don’t drop your battery below 20%, as the cold weather can reduce your range.
  If you can, use your pre-conditioning feature to warm up the battery while it’s plugged in.
• Measure your tyre tread and pressure: Cold weather can make your tyre pressure drop, which can affect grip and overall performance. Regularly measure and adjust pressures, and make sure your tyres meet the correct standards which are 1.6mm.

  You should think about getting winter tyres if the weather reaches freezing temperatures. This will help you have better grip and handling during.

  ▶️ The police and TfL do spot-checks of Uber drivers at hotspots like Kings Cross, Heathrow or Blackfriars Bridge. If your tyres are low, you risk a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) and licence points.

• Check your cables and charging port: Make sure they stay clean and dry where possible to avoid issues when you’re using them.
• Clean your windscreen wipers: This will help them stop streaking so you have the best visibility possible. Avoid using wipers to clear frost, as this can tear the blades. Make sure your washer fluid is winter-grade to avoid freezing.
• Do your software updates: Manufacturers often update these so they’re ready for winter performance. Check and install these updates when they pop up so your EV is up to date.

If you do breakdown while you’re out and about, you should use your accident card to report this to Otto Car.

Read our full winter driving guide to help you stay safe on the road during winter.

Tips to boost your EV range when it’s cold 

The last thing you or your passengers want is to get stuck in traffic with a low charge, especially since cold weather can drain your EV’s range.

Luckily, there are a few simple habits that can help your car run more efficiently and go further without needing to stop. This will save you both time and money. Here’s how:

• Use regenerative braking: This feature helps you save battery by putting energy back into the battery when you brake. It’s really helpful in city driving, especially when you're constantly stopping and starting.
• Pre-condition your car: You can do this while it’s still plugged in so you don’t use any of your battery to warm up your car.
• Use Eco Mode: This mode helps improve mileage by reducing power output and giving you better control, especially on icy roads.
• Drive smoothly: Avoid sudden acceleration or braking as driving steadily not only saves energy but also keeps you and your passengers safe.

Learn more about how you can help your EV battery last longer in cold weather.

Plan your trips around popular spots

With a little planning, you can maximise your earnings during winter. Big festive events bring plenty of work, especially when it’s cold. By researching when and where events are taking place, you can predict busy areas and choose the best spots to work.

Here are some of the main areas to look out for:

• Winter markets: Southbank Centre, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Covent Garden
• Christmas lights: Oxford Street, Regent Street, Kew Garden
• Ice skating: Natural History Museum, Somerset House, Queen’s House
• Festive pop-up events: Canary Wharf Winter Lights, Greenwich Winter Time Festival
• Shopping areas: Westfield London (White City), Carnaby Street
• Theatre district: West End (Theatre shows and musicals)

Of course, busy areas mean more traffic, so keep this in mind when picking your jobs.

▶️ Top tip: Use the Uber ‘Trip Radar’ feature to show you trip request opportunities and get individual requests too.

Tips to increase your PCO earnings

Surge pricing with Uber

Surge pricing happens in the Uber app when there are more riders than available drivers, making trips more profitable for you. Check the heat map in the app to find the dark red ‘surge zones,’ and drive through those areas to catch the highest fares.

▶️ Top tip: Check the ‘Promotion’ section of the Uber app to find new ways to earn extra money.

Give a great service

This is a great time to earn tips or positive reviews by taking extra care of your passengers. In the cold weather, make it easy for them to find you. Since many people may be drinking, greet riders by name and help with any changes to their trip.

Here are some extra things you can do to go the extra mile:

• Keep your car tidy and smelling nice (Fabulosa is lovely – and antibacterial)
• Keep cleaning supplies in your car so you can quickly clean up any mess and stay ready to work
• Ask passengers if they’re comfortable (e.g. temperature, music level)
• Run a festive playlist (if you don’t want people to use Bluetooth, explain why).

▶️ Top tip: It’s cheaper to keep riders comfy with heated seats than run the cabin heater.

At Otto Car, safety is our top priority. Be especially careful around pedestrians in low light or crowded areas, and always keep an eye out for vulnerable passengers.

To wrap things up, winter is a great time for PCO drivers to earn extra money, and these tips can help you make the most of it.

Taking the next step

Get free expert advice from the Otto Team – and see the actual cars at our five London hubs.

Whether you prefer a flexible rental or an inclusive ownership plan, we’ve got you.

Pop into any Otto Car hub for a chat or say hello on 020 8740 7444.