Milestone Month: TLC Makes History with Over One Million Zero-Emission Trips in January - TLC

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 4, 2024

contact: press@tlc.nyc.gov
212-676-1070

Milestone Month: TLC Makes History with Over One Million Zero-Emission Trips in January

City’s Rideshare Fleet Two Years Ahead of Initial Green Rides Sustainability and Accessibility Benchmarks

NEW YORK, NY – Green meant go for the Taxi and Limousine Commission in January. The TLC proudly set a historic sustainability standard in January with its high-volume for-hire fleet completing over one million zero-emission rides for the first time. Buoyed by the successful passage of the groundbreaking Green Rides Initiative last year, the Uber and Lyft fleet’s total number of zero-emission trips in January 2024 was 1.08 million. In January 2023, that number was 157,000. This period also saw a 33% increase in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) trips.

The energy and momentum behind Green Rides, which outlined annual benchmark goals for Uber and Lyft’s transition to 100% zero-emission or wheelchair accessible trips by 2030, helped to meet the program’s benchmarks that were set for the end of 2025 – two full years early.

“We set out on the historic path of making New York City a model in sustainability and accessibility, and thanks to our Green Rides initiative, we’re getting it done ahead of schedule,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “These 1 million Green Rides represent a million fewer pollution-emitting car trips, meaning our city is greener and the air every New Yorker breathes is cleaner. We’re proud to lead the nation in tackling the climate crisis.”

As part of Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda,” Green Rides made New York City the first U.S. city to commit to this kind of bold transition — without imposing any new costs on drivers. The announcement on Oct. 18, 2023, was coupled with the release of new electric vehicle licenses the next day, and since November, rideshare EV trips have tripled.

“Our drivers are a shining example of economic mobility for working-class New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi. “When we released new electric vehicle licenses, it gave them an unprecedented path to the middle class by becoming their own small business owners while also being at the heart of the fight against climate change. We are proud to say that almost 90 percent of the licenses we have issued have gone to individual drivers.”

“Our licensees have made history with this achievement,” said TLC Commissioner David Do. “They are catalysts for this EV transition, and in doing so, are innovators and zero-emission heroes. They are helping to drive new EV infrastructure projects across the boroughs. I am working day and night with our public and private partners to bring more plugs to where drivers live and work. We are already seeing the results.”

The 1 million trip milestone comes as private industry appears to be responding to the increased charging demand posed by TLC’s greening rideshare fleet. Today, charging startup Gravity opened up a round-the-clock, 24-plug fast-charging site in Midtown Manhattan boasting capabilities of up to 500kW—the fastest in the United States.

Green Rides’ annual targets were designed to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to a cleaner, more accessible fleet by building a framework and timeline for Uber and Lyft by the 2030 deadline. The original goals of 5% in 2024 were set to rise to 15% in 2025, but that target was met in January almost two full years ahead of schedule. That includes a 400K increase in year-over-year WAV trips.

The remaining targets are 25% in 2026 and 40% in 2027, with annual 20 percentage point increases until the end of the decade. With the gains made by Green Rides and the data collected from the February 2024 Pause Report, additional FHV licenses are not needed at this time. Applications for WAV licenses remain open.

"Uber is committed to an all-electric future and this is just the beginning,” said Josh Gold, senior director for public policy and communications, Uber. “Allowing drivers who were renting vehicles the opportunity to buy their own EV plates helped us speed up the number of our zero-emission trips immensely. We’re looking forward to the supercharge this gives to private investment in New York’s EV infrastructure.”

“Today is a great day for celebration for our riders, drivers and our city as we build momentum towards reducing our carbon footprint and achieving the goals set by the Green Rides Initiative,” said Larry Gallegos, Public Policy Manager for Lyft. “For the last several years, Lyft has been focused on transitioning to electric vehicles, and we are confident we can continue to be a pivotal player in making this city greener, more accessible, and sustainable in the future."

“Drivers are excited to be part of the City’s Green Rides Initiative as all for-hire vehicle drivers deserve the right to own their own work vehicle. Allowing the city’s Uber and Lyft drivers to own their electric work vehicles is fundamental to achieving a cleaner and healthier city, while also improving economic opportunity for drivers,” said Brendan Sexton, president of the Independent Drivers Guild, a Machinists Union affiliate which represents and advocates for more than 300,000 rideshare drivers.

“It’s awesome. It is excellent. I am so happy with this vehicle,” said Mohammed Asad, a Queens resident who drives for Uber and previously drove a gas-powered car until he bought a Tesla in December. “I’m going to tell all (other) drivers that everyone needs to get an electric vehicle because it is good for us, for the next generation, our kids. … It is for good me, good for the country, and good for the world.”

Meanwhile, the TLC and the City are encouraging and helping to develop more charging infrastructure with an array of projects, including CFI grants. One such grant which recently resulted in a $15 million in federal funding for a DOT charging depot in the Bronx. TLC’s renovated Woodside inspection facility will also install 30 fast chargers for licensees, while the NYC Department of Transportation and New York Power Authority are installing fast charging hubs at 13 municipal parking facilities citywide.

About the NYC TLC

Created in 1971, NYC TLC is the agency responsible for licensing and regulating New York City's Medallion (Yellow) taxi cabs, for-hire vehicles (community-based liveries, black cars, and luxury limousines), commuter vans, and paratransit vehicles, along with the businesses that operate them. It is recognized as the largest and most active taxi and For-Hire Vehicle regulatory body in the United States.

Over 200,000 TLC licensees complete approximately 1,000,000 trips each day. To operate for hire, drivers must first undergo a background check, have a safe driving record, and complete 24 hours of driver training. TLC-licensed vehicles are inspected for safety and emissions at TLC's Woodside Inspection Facility.

To find out more about the TLC, or to review its rules, regulations, and procedures, we encourage you to visit our official Web site at www.nyc.gov/taxi or contact 311/311 Online.

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