My name is Natalie, and I am a rideshare driver in Richmond, Virginia. I started driving for Uber and Lyft in 2019 because I wanted the flexibility to support myself while also pursuing my work as a fine artist. I paint in my studio whenever I can, but most of my time is spent on the road.
I typically drive more than 45 hours a week and put on around 40,000 miles a year. I work Friday and Saturday nights, holidays, and busy hours to make sure people have safe rides home from bars, parties, and work. Over the years, I’ve given more than 40,000 rides in the Richmond area. I am now on my third vehicle due to the high mileage and wear that comes with this kind of work.
In 2022, I switched to a Nissan Leaf after calculating that an electric vehicle would reduce my monthly fuel and maintenance costs. For a while, that decision worked well. But earlier this year, my car began showing a critical system warning and stopped functioning normally.
After multiple diagnostics and attempted repairs, I was told the issue was with the battery system. I initially paid to begin repairs, but the final diagnosis was that the battery would need to be replaced entirely—at a cost far beyond what I can afford. My car was reassembled and is now only minimally drivable.
Since then, I’ve had to rent a vehicle through Lyft in order to keep working. The cost of the rental, insurance, and mileage deductions has reduced my take-home income by roughly a third. In order to earn what I was making before, I now have to work significantly longer hours, and I’ve been unable to save anything since this change.
I currently owe about $16,500 on my vehicle. I have explored other options, including trade-in financing and purchasing a cheaper gas car, but both come with significant financial drawbacks that would still make it difficult for me to recover financially.
The most realistic path forward is repairing my car with a salvaged battery and installation, which would cost approximately $6,000. This would allow me to return to driving my own vehicle, eliminate the rental expenses, and stabilize my income so I can continue supporting myself and my work as an artist.
I am asking for help raising $6,000 so I can repair my car and regain financial stability. Any support would go directly toward the battery and installation needed to get me back on the road.
