Mayor Adams, TLC Announce new Rules to Require City’s Rideshare Vehicles to be Zero-Emission, Wheelc

August 16, 2023

New Proposed “Green Rides” Rules Lay Groundwork for a Cleaner, More Accessible New York City

New York City to Become First Large City to Have Rideshare Fleet Entirely Either Zero-Emissions or Wheelchair Accessible

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Commissioner David Do today announced the newly proposed rules for “Green Rides,” which requires the transition of New York City’s rideshare fleet to either zero-emission vehicles or wheelchair accessible vehicles by 2030. This initiative lays crucial groundwork in creating a cleaner and more accessible transportation system for New York City. The proposed rules will also make New York City the first large city in the world to have a rideshare fleet that is entirely either zero-emissions or wheelchair accessible.

Introduction

The Green Rides program and this set of proposed rules delivers on a commitment from Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda” to electrify the high-volume for-hire vehicle fleet in New York City without imposing new costs on individual drivers.

Mayor Adams’ Statement

“When it comes to driving towards sustainable and inclusive transportation alternatives, New York City isn’t just along for the ride — in fact, we are leading the way,” said Mayor Adams. “By championing the integration of zero-emission vehicles and wheelchair accessible transportation, we are cutting dirty emissions and guaranteeing equitable transportation opportunities for every New Yorker. Green Rides marks significant progress towards establishing an environmentally conscious for-hire transportation system spanning all five boroughs. This transformative shift will serve as a turning point, propelling New York City towards a greener, cleaner, healthier future.”

Proposed Rules and Benefits

The newly proposed rules provide a comprehensive roadmap for achieving the bold goals of Green Rides over the next six years, with yearly benchmarks that are practical, implementable, and designed to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. Starting in 2024, the city will require 5 percent of all high-volume for-hire trips, including those with Uber and Lyft, to be dispatched to zero-emission vehicles or wheelchair accessible vehicles — with that benchmark rising to 15 percent in 2025 and 25 percent in 2026. As the market evolves and electric vehicle prices become more affordable, the requirements will increase yearly by 20 percentage points until the end of the decade, reaching 100 percent in 2030.

This transition will play a major role in advancing PlaNYC, New York City’s long-term strategic climate plan that highlights efforts the city is taking to protect New Yorkers from climate threats, improve quality of life, and build the green economy. According to a TLC study, the agency’s licensed vehicles currently contribute to approximately 4 percent of the city’s vehicle emissions.

Collaboration and Support

Both Uber and Lyft, which together comprise New York City’s high-volume for-hire fleet of approximately 78,000 vehicles, have committed to transitioning to a greener fleet by 2030. Existing federal and state incentives are expected to encourage purchases of electric vehicles and drive the market towards price parity between zero-emission vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles by 2027. Additionally, state regulations dictate that all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035.

Public Hearing

A public hearing on the proposed rules is scheduled for September 20, 2023.

Quotes from Stakeholders

• “I love the EV. We save so much money on gas. I feel good about the change [from an internal combustion engine vehicle],” said Chris Velez, TLC-licensee EV driver and owner.
• “New York has always been a leader on green innovation,” said Larry Gallegos, public policy manager, Lyft.
• “We applaud the TLC’s ambition for reducing emissions, an important goal we share,” said Josh Gold, senior director for public policy and communications, Uber.
• “Our future is green, and New York City is once again helping lead the way in innovative solutions that will serve as a benchmark for cities around the nation to provide viable, cleaner, and more sustainable transportation solutions,” said U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat.

Support from Public Officials

• “This change marks a historic leap toward a greener and more equitable city. The tens of thousands of for-hire cars that will transition to zero-emissions vehicles will greatly reduce New York’s daily carbon footprint, and the cars that opt to accommodate wheelchairs will help make transit more accessible citywide,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
• “The climate disasters we’ve seen this summer alone are an urgent call to action for all of us to do more to protect our environment. Electrifying the vehicles crisscrossing New York is essential to the sustainable city we need to build,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
• “As global temperatures continue to reach record highs and the number of weather-related disasters continues to proliferate, it’s clearer than ever we must leave no stone unturned in addressing climate change,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
• “New Yorkers deserve clean air,” said New York City Councilmember Selvena N. Brooks-Powers.
• “As chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency & Waterfronts, I am thrilled to share my excitement about the Green Rides initiative. This policy sets a gold standard for innovation, paving the way for other cities across the country to follow suit,” said New York City Councilmember James F. Gennaro.
• “New York City must be a leader in the transition to clean energy,” said New York City Councilmember Carlina Rivera.

  SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 13: Climate Action
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they address the transition to zero-emission vehicles and wheelchair accessible vehicles, which contribute to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), promote innovation in the transportation sector (SDG 9), create sustainable cities with accessible transportation options (SDG 11), mitigate climate change by reducing emissions (SDG 13), and involve partnerships between the government, rideshare companies, and other stakeholders (SDG 17).

  2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
  • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
  • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all
  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships

  These targets can be identified based on the article’s content because they align with the goals of transitioning to zero-emission and wheelchair accessible vehicles, improving energy efficiency, upgrading infrastructure, providing accessible transportation, integrating climate change measures, and fostering partnerships.

  3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP
  • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added
  • Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport
  • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated climate change measures into policy frameworks, strategies, and planning
  • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships

  These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets because they provide specific metrics for assessing energy intensity, CO2 emissions, access to public transport, integration of climate change measures, and financial commitments to partnerships.

  Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  SDGs	Targets	Indicators
  SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency	Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP
  SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable	Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added
  SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all	Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport
  SDG 13: Climate Action	Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning	Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated climate change measures into policy frameworks, strategies, and planning
  SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships	Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships

  Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

  Source: nyc.gov

   

  

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