GM’s Maven Gig launched earlier this year but recently has been expanding to more and more cities, with others slated to join in the next year.
What is Maven Gig?
Maven Gig allows renters to rent a vehicle to use for their gig work on a weekly basis – starting at $189 a week (plus tax), including insurance, unlimited miles, and maintenance. For $229, you can get a Chevrolet Bolt EV, which currently comes with free charging at EVgo charging stations. The Bolt EV is reportedly the most popular option.
Maven’s Director of Commercial Mobility Strategy Rachel Bhattacharya said that the program was in response to consumers of other Maven programs wanting the flexibility to do short or long term periods of gig work on whatever platforms they choose.
How does Maven Gig work?
Basically, you can use a car-share to run a ride-share (or some other kind of courier service).
Maven Gig allows customers to rent a car with insurance, roadside assistance, and maintenance already provided for as little as a week or as long as one month plus. Paying slightly more and renting an electric car comes with the added benefit of free charging (limited time). Drivers can return early after seven days, with no extra cost.
The program started in San Diego and then San Francisco, and opened in Los Angeles on Thursday. Boston, Phoenix, and Washington D.C are slated to come next (this fall), with Baltimore and Detroit on the radar for the future.
Who should consider Maven Gig?
The flexibility may be particularly beneficial to urban residents who may not own their own car but still want to participate in the opportunities of the gig economy. While a lease may be cheaper, TechCrunch notes that Maven Gig comes without long term commitment or the hassle of maintenance.
To use Maven Gig, you must download the mobile app, at which point you will be able to reserve your car and set up a time to pick it up. As an added perk, the app is also tied to Maven Car Sharing, which allows hourly car rental for personal use. Users are required to submit a driver’s license and a credit card, and all reservations, pick-up scheduling, and unlocking of the car is done in-app.
