What Is It Like to Work As A Spin Scooter Charger?

The demand for electric scooters is on the rise, and if you get on this trend early enough, you can have a successful gig as a Spin scooter charger. Spin is one of the companies that launched electric bicycle and scooter-sharing systems. Customers use a mobile app to reserve a bike or scooter, then follow the rules to ride and return them.

Since the equipment is electronic, it needs to be charged. That’s where you come in. Companies like Spin hire gig workers to track down errant scooters and charge them overnight. Does that sound like something up your alley? Here’s everything you need to know about working as a Spin scooter charger and how you can maximize your daily profits.

The Rise of E-Scooters and E-Bikes

You don’t have to look far to see the effects of inflation and supply-chain issues on society. Of course, the fuel price is the most obvious, but this domino effect spirals to vehicle availability and costs. More and more people are combating the spiking expense of transportation by turning to “micro-mobility” in electric devices.

Saving Money and Going Green, Too

Before the problem of rising costs, e-scooters and e-bikes were popular ways to reduce carbon footprints. They’ve been around long enough that laws have been enacted for electric devices, and more rideshare businesses have joined the industry. Spin scooters and other green transportation bikes are so in demand that a new obstacle is charging them fast enough to be rented back.

Finding Hubs

Micro-mobility providers like Spin, Lime, and Bird each have docks. So if you want to rent a device, you need to track down the hub that services your preferred company. Finding the hub to pick up your scooter isn’t the issue; returning your device to a hub after you finish it causes such a headache. Renters should follow guidelines that help keep everyone safe, such as using bike lanes and riding the scooter correctly, but the most common e-device infractions are parking-related.

Returning the Device

When an e-device rider is shopping, dining, or otherwise preoccupied — or all done with their trip — they are supposed to park their scooter in a motorcycle parking space. That doesn’t stop people from using no-no spots:

• Bus stops
• Benches
• Loading zones
• Private property
• Landscaped areas
• Curbs
• Driveways

Convenience takes center stage when renting the device and isn’t attached to it: ditching that scooter is more accessible than finding a hub. This practice is a dangerous safety concern for every scooter company, so they hire freelancers to pick them up. That’s where you get to reap the benefits.

The Role of a Spin Scooter Charger

Spin electric scooters are in cities and on campuses around the country. In addition, electric scooter charging stations are strategically placed on private properties and public areas in destinations with high foot traffic, like San Francisco and Washington, D.C. If you live in a city where Spin hubs are located, you can quickly get hired as a charger.

As a Spin scooter charger, it’s your job to ensure every device is accounted for at the end of the day. So first, you’ll travel around the city picking up scooters that haven’t been appropriately returned. Then, you’ll charge them overnight and return them for new rentals in the morning.

This simple job nets you an hourly rate and reimbursement for your cell phone usage, mileage on your vehicle, and electricity for charging the scooters. The benefits add up, making this role lucrative if you meet the requirements.

What You’ll Need to Be a Successful Spin Charger

The job itself is not difficult. To pass Spin’s screening, you must have a clean driving record and be able to drive a vehicle large enough to hold at least 20 scooters. If you don’t have an SUV or truck that does that, Spin can provide you with one. Scooters average around 40 pounds.

Your job includes lifting the device, putting it in your vehicle, and removing it for charging, so you should be in good health and have a decent amount of upper body strength. Finally, your home or garage must be spacious enough to charge 40 or more nightly scooters. You’ll use the Spin app’s GPS locator to track down scooters. Two 20-scooter collection routes can quickly provide you with 40 devices.

Potential Earnings

Spin pays by the hour, but your shifts are limited. So to maximize your earnings, you’ll want to make each collection worthwhile. The more scooters you need to find and pick up, the longer you’ll be out and the more you’ll make. Since you’re limited on collection shifts, try to get the most significant vehicle that fits at least 20 scooters.

Make sure you have a battery charger for each one at your home ready to go, or you have time to rotate scooters and get them all charged by the morning. Spin scooter chargers can bring in up to $30/per hour as independent contractors in busy cities like Los Angeles. But, of course, how much you can earn depends on your vehicle size and the demand where you live.

How Does Charging for Spin Compare to Charging for Other Companies?

Micro-mobility companies are cropping up everywhere, each with features that help it stand out against its competitors. Would it be better for you to work for Spin as a charger, or might Bird or Lime be a wiser option? Look at the other two companies and see how they compare to Spin’s charger position.

Lime Juicers

Lime’s chargers are called “juicers.” Like Spin, juicers collect the Lime devices, bring them home, and charge them using their electricity. The scooters must reach at least 95% battery power before being served to a LimeHub and must be returned by 7 a.m. Once you drop the scooter off, you’re paid for your work.

You’ll use the Juicer mode on your Lime app to find scooters. Unlock each scooter using the QR code method, then track the charge so you’re paid accordingly for your electricity when you return the device. Lime also provides simple find-and-return tasks. For instance, juicers can retrieve a particular scooter and drop it off at an assigned location without charging it.

Bird Flyers

Bird chargers function a little differently. They’re called “Bird Flyers,” and the tasks each Flyer is eligible to complete are based on their level.

• At Level One, Flyers pick up and relocate Bird scooters.
• At Level Two, Flyers can earn more money by picking up scooters, charging them, and returning them to a hub.
• The last level is Three, where frequent Flyers can make high payouts for completing priority tasks.

All three companies reimburse chargers for electricity and phone use. Whether you become a Spin charger, Lime Juicer, or Bird Flyer is a matter of determining which company is the most commonly used in your city.

How to Boost Your Earnings With Spin

Ready to get started with a Spin charging gig? Applying online at Spin Careers is fast and easy. Once approved, the next step is learning how to boost your payout. To start, remember that this job has some out-of-pocket expenses. For example, you’ll use your electricity and gas until you’re reimbursed, and your vehicle (if you use your own) will have wear and tear.

Even with those extra costs to offset your initial earnings, you can make a good living, mainly if you use these tricks.

Apply in Top Cities and On College Campuses

Spin currently operates in more than 50 cities in the United States. If you can focus your work in the top locations, you can grab more shifts, collect and charge more devices, and earn more money. It’s not just about the city, though.

Spin chargers near college campuses can capitalize on student riding, a large market. If it’s not too far from your driving range, apply for jobs charging scooters there, and you’ll make up the gas and mileage quickly.

Increase Your Return on Investment (ROI)

Occasionally, Spin offers a sign-on bonus for new chargers. Look into that before you head to the application. You could have a few hundred extra dollars in your pocket with nothing but a referral code. You can also increase your ROI by optimizing your route. For example, Spin’s app shows you where the missing scooters are, but if you don’t know the area, you’ll take a long way around to collect them all.

Route optimization software lets you plug in the destinations to the system, which then arranges everything according to one of the following factors:

1. First, choose the fastest way to collect the scooter.
2. Then, aim for the shortest distances to save fuel.

Triple Up by Collecting Spin, Bird, and Lime Scooters

You’ll need scooter-specific chargers if you decide to work for Spin, Bird, or Lime. Ensure you have enough charging components to handle all the scooters you’ll bring in. Keep them organized to save time when you plug each scooter in, as finding the suitable cable or adapter for the right scooter can quickly become confusing.

As we mentioned, if you don’t have your vehicle, Spin will provide you with one (as long as you meet their qualifications). However, you can’t pick up competitors’ scooters in a Spin vehicle. Have transportation to double up and work for other e-scooter companies. Check with each company’s policies to determine if you’re allowed to collect competitor devices if you’re getting paid by the hour.

Harvest at the Right Times

Harvesting at the correct times, you can beat the other Spin chargers in your area. Most scooters are awaiting collection at 9 p.m. when the riders are done for the day. So keep an eye on the app, and swoop in if you see a bunch of devices sitting around earlier or later.

Get All Your Insurance Ducks in A Row

Vehicle insurance requirements vary by state and the micro-mobility provider you work for. As an independent contractor, your insurance can deny coverage for any claims if you’re in an accident in your car on the clock. That can quickly wipe out the income you just made.

Check with your auto policy to see if you need to add a rider or switch to commercial coverage.  Scooter companies aren’t liable for damages caused by their chargers. This includes damage to your home from the charging stations, so you’ll want to confirm your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers you for business use.

Read more: Do Freelance Drivers Need Commercial Auto Insurance?

Don’t Forget Your Health

Safety and damage protection is essential, as is your health. So how will you deal with those pesky medical bills if you get sick?

Now that you’re a small business startup don’t take the chance of going without healthcare. Instead, head over to Selfgood, the platform created especially for gig workers like you. Selfgood partners with the Alliance of Gig Workers to get members the best rates for its Limited Indemnity Plan. They’ll pay you a fixed benefit when you need it.

You’ll have peace of mind knowing you don’t have to collect scooters to cover your medical bills for the next two months.

Conclusion

Now that you know what a Spin scooter charger does, head to the application page and apply if it interests you. Then, make it your goal to maximize your ROI with our tips. From harvesting at strategic times to lowering expenses with an Alliance of Gig Workers membership, there are plenty of ways to build a lucrative career as an electric scooter charger.