Green Rides Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

TLC’s fleet produces an estimated 600,000 metric tons of carbon a year, about 4% of the city’s overall vehicle emissions. Removing these will improve air quality for New Yorkers, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment, and it will help combat climate change. A cleaner, more accessible fleet will also speed development of the city’s charging infrastructure—which will in turn provide more options for New Yorkers looking to switch to EVs, along with new employment opportunities. Lastly, EVs can save drivers up to 40% in reduced maintenance and fuel costs, providing more economic stability for hardworking drivers.

There is no evidence that Green Rides will significantly impact congestion. As late as 2021, TLC EV licenses were exempt from the license pause and there was no significant increase due to EV vehicles. There are also currently 25,000 fewer TLC vehicles than there were prior to the FHV license pause. Many of the drivers who will be acquiring new EV licenses are already on the road—they’re leasing TLC plates. This gives them a path towards ownership.

One of the goals of the Green Rides Initiative is to spur private industry development of NYC’s charging infrastructure—particularly DC Fast Chargers, also known as Level 3 Chargers, which are important for for-hire vehicle operators. A gradually transitioning fleet of 78,000 vehicles creates a demand that private industry can meet, and operators can switch to EVs as the charging infrastructure ramps up.

Not at this time. TLC is beginning electrification with its largest fleet, the high-volume for-high vehicles (better known as Uber & Lyft). As this transition incentivizes more charging infrastructure, it will enable other TLC fleets to more easily transition. Taxis also have a different operational model, so rules that work for the rideshare industry don’t always work for taxis. In January 2023, TLC passed rules dramatically increasing the number of EVs that can be used as taxis.

Most EVs are currently more expensive than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, so drivers buying EVs in the near future may experience more up-front costs. Prices are dropping rapidly, however, and many experts agree that price parity between EVs and ICE vehicles will occur between 2024-2027. Buyers should also take advantage of Federal and NY State incentives. Maintenance expenses and fuel costs for EVs, however, are typically lower compared to gas-powered vehicles because EVs do not pay for routine expenses like oil changes and annual emissions tests. Depending on the model, this can result in a 40% reduction in operating costs over the life the vehicle.

Because Green Rides requires 100% of the rideshare fleet to be either zero-emissions or wheelchair accessible by 2030, accessibility is built into the rollout. Uber and Lyft will still be required to fulfill 80% of WAV requests in 10 minutes or less and 90% in 15 minutes or less – their current mandated benchmarks. To meet that requirement, the companies will need enough WAVs in their fleets to make these trips.