Seems I’m not the only one with this daft idea. Say hello to Steve Sasman. Given the rates for rentals in Aspen I might have to give that Airbnb option a try….
uber tesla
Currently I’m at 888 uber rides on UberX and counting. Unlike Steve I had one more hoop to jump through for the commercial license. In Colorado Tesla is not listed as a luxury vehicle so I needed a waiver from the Public Utilities Commission to get the limo license. Tomorrow I’ll drive to Denver and try again for Uber Black. Wish me luck.
Uber Tesla has been an adventure and doubtless it will continue to be full of surprises. One of the most interesting twists is that Tesla is not considered a luxury vehicle which means it does not qualify as an Executive Car or a Limousine in Colorado.
Five smooth stones…. because it sure feels like David vs Goliath
“This is the nicest Uber I’ve ever been in…wow a Tesla” Yep, those were the first words from almost every one of my 59 rides last week. I have to agree. I love my Tesla. I love to share that love with my riders.
Summing up the first week as an Uber driver in Aspen… well, it ain’t New York. FYI, yes, I did drive a cab in New York in the 80’s and some things are the same and some things are very different.
The riders have been terrific (especially Cabo the Cocker Spaniel- what a cutie- sorry- no pix Cabo is shy). They’ve been a diverse crowd and that’s what we expect in Aspen. Riders came from 5 Continents China, Colombia, France, Pakistan, Australia, Canada …
Uber Tesla in Aspen
…. visitors from all over the USA, Floridians escaping the snowbirds, Texas Oil Company guys checking out the electric car, Los Angelenos doing the last minute round trip to LA before Christmas , and many from my old stomping grounds- folks from NYC (“Have you eaten at Red Farm on Hudson?” “Yes!” “The oysters with Myer Lemon!” followed by a moment of silence as we both remember that appetizer.. which I tell you…is … oh my.)
So wait- what about the Tesla in the snow you say? My 2013 Model S isn’t all wheel and the roads have been pretty darn slick. Yep, I need to channel my 1960’s driving style and slow down a bit and use a little more caution but this is by far the best rear wheel drive vehicle I’ve ever driven. In fact that’s a quote from one of my riders as we were driving on Owl Creek road “This is the best rear wheel drive car I’ve ever been in.” That it is.
The major difference between driving in NYC and Aspen? Well, while the car is recharging at the Rio Grande garage I can ride the gondola for a top to bottom on Ajax with a quick stop to grab a coffee and strudel at Bonnies and then go back to driving.
Look for the Z3RO-G plates – your Uber Tesla in Aspen.
We had a little of the fluffy stuff yesterday and more today.
That meant some of our flights out of Aspen Airport were grounded. That meant two round trips to the Eagle/Vail airport yesterday.
The first trip was fine with the charge on the batteries but the second round trip needed a recharge. Fortunately for the Tesla there is a supercharger in Glenwood Springs (40 miles from Aspen) which makes this type of range in the winter possible. The supercharger can cycle up to 95 amps which means recharging the batteries at over 230 miles in an hour. Translation- recharge in 50 minutes which is perfect for a snack at one of the restaurants on Market Street.
So yes, Tesla does do winter even if it means driving a little slower and stopping for snacks.
Finally! We’re up and running just in time for Christmas. The very first clients for Climate-CAB couldn’t be cooler! Imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the Gondola Plaza and found Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukeboxlooking for a lift to Harris Hall! One night only.
Just book through Uber for your next Tesla Taxi ride in Aspen
