New York City mandates a complete shift to electric rideshare fleets, making it the first major city to do so.
New York mandates EV rideshare fleets by 2030.
The “Green Rides” initiative necessitates the transition to EVs or accessible vehicles.
Uber and Lyft, constituting 78,000 rideshares within the city, commit to an all-electric transition by 2030.
In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, New York City has achieved a global milestone by becoming the inaugural major urban center to enforce the compulsory adoption of electric vehicle rideshare fleets by 2030. Mayor Eric Adams and City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) commissioner David Do have introduced the “Green Rides” initiative, outlining the conversion of the city’s rideshare fleet to either EVs or wheelchair-accessible vehicles within the upcoming decade.
Uber AV Fleet – Uber
The strategy capitalizes on existing federal and state incentives, which are anticipated to foster greater adoption of EVs and gradually pave the way for price parity between EVs and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2027. Additionally, state regulations have mandated that all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold within the state must be emission-free by 2035. Given the evident demand for TLC vehicle licenses, the implementation of financial and legal prerequisites will propel rideshare drivers towards the EV transition.
Uber autonomous taxi
The phased introduction of the Green Rides Initiative will initiate in 2024, mandating that 5% of high-volume for-hire trips, encompassing those with prominent rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, must utilize EVs or wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This percentage will progressively escalate to 15% in 2025, 25% in 2026, and then increment annually by 20 percentage points, culminating in a comprehensive transition to an all-electric fleet by 2030.
Mobileye autonomous shuttle | Photo: Mobileye
Leading rideshare platforms Uber and Lyft, collectively constituting 78,000 rideshare vehicles within the city, have both pledged to complete their EV transition by the target year of 2030. Josh Gold, Uber’s senior director for public policy and communications, expressed eagerness to collaborate with the TLC in realizing a zero-emission New York City that augments the experiences of drivers, riders, and the broader urban community.
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The city is also making noteworthy strides in enhancing its charging infrastructure, with approximately 200 DC fast chargers and 1,000 Level 2 EV chargers now accessible to the public. Collaborative efforts between the New York City Department of Transportation and private sector enterprises aim to swiftly broaden the scope of charging options to cater to the burgeoning electric vehicle fleet.
The goal for New York is to halve transportation-related emissions by 2030. An analysis conducted by the TLC emphasizes that the agency’s licensed vehicles currently contribute to around 4% of the city’s total vehicle emissions. The Green Rides initiative has garnered commendation from local leaders, with Brooklyn borough president Antonio Reynoso lauding its role in shaping a sustainable urban future.
