Imagine this: You've just landed after a long flight at the bustling LaGuardia Airport, and you decide to treat yourself to an Uber Black for a comfortable, stylish ride home. But what if the car that pulls up isn't what you expected at all? Would you still hop in, or would you wait for something else?
This exact scenario played out for content creator Valentina (@sweetportfolioprivate), who shared her rather surprising Uber Black experience at LaGuardia, leaving many viewers utterly bewildered. Her video, which has since garnered over 412,000 views, captures the moment her supposed premium ride arrived.
Valentina, filming from the rideshare pickup zone, initially seemed to spot a large, black Chrysler SUV – the kind of spacious vehicle many associate with the elevated Uber Black service. However, the vehicle that ultimately pulled up to collect her was a sleek, black Tesla. Her reaction? "I'm gonna need some nausea medicine," she quipped in the caption, hinting at a discomfort that goes beyond mere disappointment.
While Uber Black is marketed as a premium service promising high-end sedans and SUVs, for some passengers, being assigned a Tesla can feel like a step down, especially after the fatigue of air travel.
But here's where it gets controversial: Why do Teslas, and electric vehicles in general, make some people feel nauseous?
The science behind this is fascinating, and it all boils down to something called regenerative braking. In simpler terms, this system cleverly uses the car's momentum to slow down, converting that kinetic energy back into electricity to recharge the battery. Sounds efficient, right? Well, the trade-off can be a driving experience that feels unexpectedly jerky or abrupt, particularly for those accustomed to the smoother deceleration of traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Dr. Monya De explained to PopSugar that the regenerative braking in Teslas can be "jerky and unfamiliar to people who are used to a different kind of car motion." ABC News even dubbed Teslas the "worst offenders" due to their tendency to be "very jerky and really abrupt." Ed Kim, president and chief analyst at AutoPacific, elaborated to ABC News, noting that many automakers tune EV throttles to feel "jumpy" to highlight their power, but this can inadvertently lead to lurching and car sickness for passengers.
And this is the part most people miss: The issue is often amplified for those in the back seat. Motion sickness occurs when there's a disconnect between what your eyes perceive, what your inner ear senses, and what your brain processes. Unlike the driver who anticipates movements, passengers in the back have less control and awareness, making them more vulnerable to that queasy feeling.
Adding to the discomfort is the very silence that's often lauded as a luxury feature of EVs. While a quiet motor is appealing, it can actually exacerbate motion sickness. Without the familiar engine sounds that signal acceleration or braking, your brain receives conflicting signals, creating that disorienting sensory mismatch.
As Dr. D.J. Verret, an ear, nose, and throat doctor, told ABC News, "In combustion cars, you hear the engine revving and know someone is stepping on the accelerator. The car moves forward. In an EV, the auditory and visual inputs don't fit the model that you are actually moving."
The online reaction to Valentina's predicament has been a mix of sympathy and strong opinions.
Many commenters suggested that for a guaranteed premium experience, one should opt for "uber black xl," with one user emphatically stating, "you’ll never see a Tesla ever again." Others chimed in with preferences for specific luxury SUVs, like "Escalades or navigators ONLY." A common sentiment was that "tesla should not be considered uber black," with one person even wishing for a "no-Tesla option."
Now, we want to hear from you! Do you agree that Teslas shouldn't be classified as Uber Black? Or do you see them as a perfectly acceptable premium option? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take on this evolving world of rideshare services!
