How Many Electric Cars Are in the NYC TLC Fleet?

With Uber and Lyft planning to go all-electric by 2030, we overview the current state of EV adoption in the NYC for-hire transport industry.

Uber, similar to Lyft, announced today that all rides in the US, Canada and Europe would take place in electric cars by 2030 (globally by 2040). To facilitate this EV transition, Uber said it would pledge $800 million to the effort, including working with other companies, such as carmaker GM and charging network owner EVgo, to offer various incentives to drivers. The Company also announced the Uber Green service, which allows a passenger to request a low emission vehicle for an extra $1, while also receiving three times the Uber Reward points per trip vs. a ‘normal’ UberX ride (Note: Drivers on the Uber Green platform will also earn $1.50 extra per trip).

Uber has also worked out some driver-friendly deals with carmakers, electric-charging companies, and rental companies. US drivers could receive discounts of up to $2,750 on General Motors’ Chevy Bolt (the 2020 model starts at $36,620); get 10 percent to 25 percent off charging from EVgo; and take advantage of a forthcoming partnership between Uber and the rental company Avis, with the aim of getting more drivers who don’t own cars into electrics. - Wired

How Electrified Are Uber’s & Lyft’s Fleet in NYC?

Driving an EV in the NYC for-hire industry has its own set of unique challenges, notably around the lack of charging infrastructure. Unlike other cities and towns where Uber and Lyft operate, a large portion of NYC TLC drivers do not have access to (or do not want to pay for) an enclosed parking garage space and often park on the street. In addition, many TLC drivers may be put off by electric vehicles due to limited options, the need to deal with a franchised dealer for all service-related issues and the various unknowns around what may go wrong with an EV.

That all being said, many NYC for-hire drivers may be enticed to switch to an electric car as it is one of only two ways to get a new FHV vehicle license (i.e. TLC plate). While it is still early days for electric cars in NYC, there is undoubtedly more adoption to come. We’ve worked through the publicly available data and summarize the current state of electric vehicles in the NYC for-hire industry. Also be sure to check out TLCMKT for a rare Chevy Bolt rental listing if you are a TLC driver interested in driving an EV.

Current Number of Fully Electric For-Hire Vehicles

249 out of 103,445* or 0.2% of total NYC TLC Fleet

*for-hire vehicle total maybe understated due to stored plates related to COVID-19

Market Share

1. Tesla Model 3

   113 cars (45% market share)

   MSRP: From $37,990

   Range: 250 to 322 miles

2. Tesla Model S

   45 cars (18% market share)

   MSRP: From $74,990

   Range: 348 to 402 miles

3. Nissan Leaf

   41 cars (16% market share)

   MSRP: From $31,600

   Range: 150 to 226 miles

4. Chevy Bolt

   21 cars (8% market share)

   MSRP: From $36,620

   Range: 238 to 259 miles

5. Kia Niro

   13 cars (5% market share)

   MSRP: From $39,090

   Range: 239 miles

6. Tesla Model X

   9 cars (4% market share)

   MSRP: From $79,990

   Range: 305 to 351 miles

7. Hyundai Kona

   7 cars (3% market share)

   MSRP: From $37,190

   Range: 258 miles

Vehicle worth mentioning: Tesla Model Y

Although there are currently no Tesla Model Ys listed in the TLC Fleet we expect the vehicle to gain traction.

The TLCMKT Newsletter is written by Dawood Mian, Founder & CEO of TLCMKT. I cover the NYC ridehailing industry and related news. Search TLCMKT for TLC cars, parts, service, accessories, reviews & more. Find great deals at TLCMKT.COM.