The rapid growth of the gig economy has transformed employment patterns, with e-hailing emerging as a significant source of income for individuals seeking flexibility and accessible work opportunities. This study investigates the influence of job choice motivation on the work performance of e-hailing drivers, focusing on the roles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 150 e-hailing drivers operated in Klang Valley, Malaysia through a structured questionnaire and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that extrinsic motivation, such as financial incentives, low entry barriers, and favourable working environments, has a significant and positive effect on work performance, whereas intrinsic motivation, including flexible hours and work–life balance, shows no significant impact. Although the model explains a substantial proportion of variance in performance outcomes, the study is limited by its cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported data, and focus on a single national context. Despite these limitations, the study offers important implications: theoretically, it extends motivation–performance research into the gig economy context; methodologically, it demonstrates the effectiveness of PLS-SEM in examining complex behavioural relationships; and practically, it provides evidence-based insights for e-hailing platforms and policymakers to design performance-enhancing incentive systems. The originality of this research lies in its direct examination of the link between job choice motivation and work performance in the underexplored e-hailing sector, offering new perspectives on how gig workers’ motivations shape their behaviours and outcomes.