Lyft

Lyft set ambitious goal in 2023 to reach 100 million electric vehicle rides on platform by end of 2025. On September 25, 2025, company hit that milestone 'with a few months to spare,' according to Jeremy Bird, EVP of Driver Experience. Achievement demonstrates real measurable progress toward 2030 commitment to reach 100% electric vehicles on platform, showing Lyft drivers adopting EVs faster than general population. Milestone represents significant environmental impact as rides transition from gas to electric power.

New Jersey Department of Labor audit found Lyft improperly classified more than 100,000 drivers as independent contractors from 2014 to 2017, depriving them of unemployment insurance, family leave, and disability benefits. Settlement includes $10.8 million for unpaid unemployment, family leave, and disability taxes, plus $8.5 million in penalties and interest. Lyft initially contested findings in 2022, case shifted to Office of Administrative Law. In August 2025, days before first hearing date, Lyft withdrew request for hearing and paid remaining balance. Lyft spokesperson stated 'While we disagree with the NJDOL's findings, we will not be pursuing further challenges to the assessment.'

Lyft notably did not donate to Trump's 2025 inauguration fund, while competitor Uber donated $2 million. Lyft also maintained its pledge not to fund members of Congress who supported election denial claims after January 6, 2021.

Northeastern University research published November 2024 revealed Lyft unintentionally sent driver and applicant Social Security Numbers to TikTok and Meta. Lyft shared unsalted hashes of workers' SSN with Facebook (Meta) and TikTok when applicants used desktop website. Companies had added tracking pixels provided free by Meta and TikTok for web traffic analysis, but these pixels inadvertently collected data from private application web forms and sent it directly to social media companies. Issue only discovered when researchers applied for driver positions via desktop website. Represents major privacy vulnerability in driver onboarding process.

Following successful regional pilot in 9 cities (Seattle, Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago, Denver, Miami) starting August 2024, Lyft rolled out rider verification nationwide in November 2024. System cross-checks rider's legal name and phone number using trusted third-party databases. If information can't be validated, riders asked to upload government-issued ID. Verified riders receive verification badge on profile. Drivers see rider's name, verification badge, rating, and photo before accepting ride, providing greater peace of mind and helping confirm riders are who they say they are. Verifying millions of riders to enhance driver safety.

During federal trial in Lowell v. Lyft wheelchair accessibility lawsuit, former head of Lyft's national WAV program Chris Wu testified that Lyft's policy is to do 'as little as possible unless forced' to serve people with disabilities. Lyft only offers WAV service in 4% of total service areas (9 cities). WAV Program Manager testified she had no professional experience in transportation management, Americans with Disabilities Act, or developing programs for people with disabilities prior to joining Lyft. Budget for WAV services decreasing from 2023 to 2024. Lyft consistently argues it's merely a 'technology company' not subject to ADA, claims it's 'not in the transportation business.' Judge dismissed case September 30, 2024, finding plaintiffs didn't prove proposed accommodations would be effective.

Lyft paid $27 million as part of $175 million settlement (combined with Uber) resolving Attorney General's multi-year litigation originally filed in 2020. Settlement provides at least $140 million total in back pay to drivers who worked between July 14, 2020 and July 2, 2024. Requires minimum earnings floor of $32.50 per hour (now $34.48 as of January 15, 2026) for engaged time, adjusted annually by 3% or inflation rate. Also provides health insurance stipend for drivers working 15+ hours per week, occupational accident insurance up to $1 million, deactivation appeal rights, and earnings transparency. As result of settlement, Lyft withdrew support for ballot question modeled on California's Proposition 22 that would have codified independent contractor status.

Despite 2017 settlement with National Federation of the Blind that launched new service animal policy and hotline, discrimination continues with DOJ now investigating. Survey by Guide Dogs for the Blind in May 2024 found 83% of respondents experienced rideshare denials. Notable case: former U.S. Circuit Court Judge David Tatel, who is blind, was denied Lyft ride to court when driver refused his guide dog. Individual lawsuit filed in 2024 cited five instances where drivers canceled rides after seeing service dog or being notified of its presence. Years-long issue has caught attention of U.S. Department of Justice, which is sharing data with national nonprofits.

Lyft reduced its diversity, equity and inclusion team headcount by over 50% in early 2024, alongside broader layoffs. The company was listed among those that 'revised or canceled' DEI policies by January 2025.

Lyft paid $38 million as part of $328 million settlement (combined with Uber) in what Attorney General Letitia James called 'the single largest wage theft case in the history of New York State.' Lyft improperly took sales tax out of driver payments when cost should have been billed directly to passengers. Drivers who used Lyft Driver app between October 11, 2015 and July 31, 2017 eligible for payment. Settlement also provides paid sick leave: 1 hour per 30 worked, up to 56 hours per year at minimum $26 per hour (adjusted annually for inflation).

Lyft launched Women+ Connect in September 2023, offering women and nonbinary drivers option to prioritize matches with nearby women and nonbinary riders. Feature tested in 50+ markets before nationwide rollout in March 2024. By March 2024, powered more than 10 million rides. Over 7 million eligible riders turned on feature. Over half of eligible women and nonbinary drivers opted in. As of July 2024, signed-up drivers matched with women and nonbinary riders about 66% of time, up from around 50% at launch. Designed in partnership with It's On Us sexual assault prevention campaign, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, and National Sheriff's Association Traffic Safety Committee. Industry-leading safety feature addressing real safety concerns for women and nonbinary community members.

Co-founder John Zimmer announced June 17, 2020 that Lyft committed to 100% electric vehicles by end of 2030, expected to remove 16+ million tons of greenhouse gases from atmosphere, equivalent to taking 3 million traditional cars off roads. Lyft joined Climate Group's EV100 and RE100 (100% clean energy by 2030). Set science-based targets: reduce Scope 1&2 emissions to near zero by 2025, cut absolute Scope 1&2 by 56.5% by 2030 compared to 2018, reduce Scope 3 by 85% per million USD value added. Over 2024-2025, investing additional $80 million to support EV drivers and encourage gas-powered drivers to switch. Supported maintaining Clean Car Standards, opposing Trump Administration's rollback of vehicle emission standards. Partnered with Environmental Defense Fund to accelerate progress.

Lyft pledged to donate $1 million to the ACLU over four years in response to President Trump's immigration ban in January 2017. This positioned Lyft as a more progressive alternative to Uber during the #DeleteUber movement.