DoorDash is offering temporary relief to U.S. and Canadian drivers to offset soaring gas prices, which hit a national average of $3.96 per gallon in the U.S. – 35% higher than a month ago, according to AAA.
The San Francisco-based company announced the program on Monday.
U.S. drivers with a DoorDash debit card will earn 10% cash back on gas (up from 2%), and those traveling 125 miles or more for deliveries will receive a weekly fuel payment between $5 and $15. Over half of its drivers use the card.
Canadian DoorDash drivers will receive up to $36 Canadian dollars weekly, based on miles traveled. Both programs remain in effect through April 26, following a similar program in Australia last week.
It remains unclear if rivals will match DoorDash’s payments. GrubHub said last week it is closely monitoring gas prices. Uber was messaged for comment Monday.
Oil prices have eased back and financial markets pulled out of their tailspin after President Donald Trump said the US would pause strikes against Iran energy and power infrastructure for five days amid talks to end the conflict.
Brent crude swiftly fell as much as 10%, later settling around 8% lower at just under $104 a barrel, following the post on Trump’s Truth Social platform, having earlier hit around $114 a barrel.
Markets rallied on hopes that the “very good and productive” talks Trump referred to could bring an end to the war and help see the Strait of Hormuz key shipping route for oil and gas reopened.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, said: “Trump has sprung his usual surprise on markets, pausing strikes on energy infrastructure as a result of successful talks.
“But this leaves big questions unanswered – Hormuz remains closed, the damage to energy infrastructure is still there and it is unclear whether air strikes on other targets will continue.
“While this was the headline investors have been hoping for, the fact that Brent has rebounded back above 100 dollars shows that markets remain sceptical.”
