Q&A
Council members inquire about EV licenses and Green Rides initiative progress
2:01:40
·
3 min
Council Members Amanda Farías and Selvena N. Brooks-Powers engage in a Q&A session with TLC Commissioner David Do regarding the progress of the Green Rides initiative and the status of EV licenses for for-hire vehicles. The discussion covers the number of EV licenses issued, infrastructure improvements, and the storage program for for-hire vehicles.
- The Green Rides initiative is 2 years ahead of schedule, with 19% of trips now being made by EVs or wheelchair accessible vehicles.
- As of February 2024, there were 10,243 EV for-hire vehicles, which has increased to 11,490.
- 601 vehicles are currently in the for-hire vehicle storage program.
Amanda Farías
2:01:40
Thank you, council member, so no one else signed up.
2:01:43
I have one question and we will move to public testimony.
2:01:47
The chair had asked about green rides.
2:01:49
And the 8500 new EV licenses that we've already rolled out here in the city.
2:01:53
I wanted to know if we had any data on how many of those vehicles have stayed on the road currently and if we have any percentage of folks that have gave up those EV licenses in the time being.
2:02:04
Know we've had some difficulty with charging infrastructure, etcetera, so I just wanted to ask on that.
David Do
2:02:09
Yeah.
2:02:10
If I could step back and give overall picture of where we are, we're 2 years ahead of schedule on our green rides initiative.
2:02:20
You know, the the administration goal was to get to 100%, either wheelchair accessible or EVs by 2030, and we're hitting that mark 19% so far.
2:02:32
Are now EV or wheelchair accessible in terms of the number of trips.
2:02:38
Overall, we see that this has helped build additional infrastructure just yesterday council member.
2:02:45
I opened 10 additional or or I helped to open up, excuse me, it wasn't my charging, but opened up 10 additional fast charging stations in Manhattan.
2:02:57
We this initiative has spurred more infrastructure across all five boroughs and has potential to add additional infrastructure in the Bronx.
2:03:11
And so we're very excited by this.
2:03:14
In terms of the EV, FHB numbers that you asked for.
2:03:21
There were 10243 EVs as of February 2024.
2:03:27
And today, right, despite not issuing any additional licenses, there are about 11,490.
2:03:36
And so what we have seen based on the regulation is that many individuals are transitioning from an ice vehicle or an internal combustion gas vehicle to EV because possibly there is a lot more infrastructure out there.
2:03:53
We have set up a task force to work with Napa, to work with the New York And New Jersey Port Authority to build more infrastructure at JFK and at LaGuardia Airports.
2:04:05
And we're seeing that come to fruition so that the pain that drivers had to wait for last winter won't happen this year.
Amanda Farías
2:04:14
Great.
2:04:14
And so do we have any data folks that were initially given their EV licenses and then?
David Do
2:04:20
Specifically on that, I'll get back to the council member and see where we are that.
2:04:24
I I apologize.
2:04:25
I don't have that number in front of me.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:04:26
Thank
Amanda Farías
2:04:26
you so much.
2:04:26
Thank you, Cher.
David Do
2:04:30
And Cher Brooks Powers, there are currently 601 vehicles in storage in the FHV storage program.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:04:36
601 currently.
2:04:39
Thank you.
2:04:43
K.