In the wake of the announcement that NYC is mandating all app-hail vehicles be “carbon neutral” by 2030, followed by news that the cap on FHV licenses was lifted for electric vehicles (EVs), driver advocacy group, the Independent Drivers Guild (IDG), raised some significant concerns and made some requests, including:

  • The rules passed by the TLC did not include protections for drivers.
  • Establish an interagency Green Rides Task Force that includes drivers.
  • Order a study on driver impact, focusing on affordability and infrastructure.

“We are pleased Mayor Adams and Commissioner Do are opening up electric vehicle licenses, providing a desperately needed path to ownership for the city’s for-hire vehicle drivers as part of the mayor’s Green Rides initiative,” noted IDG president, Brendan Sexton. “However, we continue to have concerns over affordability and feasibility for drivers. We all support a cleaner future for New York, but it cannot be funded on the backs of our city’s hardworking Uber and Lyft drivers. Before any mandates on Uber and Lyft drivers take effect, the city must ensure that there are enough charging stations with restrooms throughout the five boroughs – and that there will be no added costs for drivers, as the Mayor promised.”

At prior hearings, the IDG urged the TLC to resume licensing EVs for FHV drivers stuck renting or leasing vehicles and asked that city rules require certain milestones for infrastructure and affordability be achieved prior to the mandate.

“Making the mayor’s Green Rides vision a reality will be a Herculean effort,” added Sexton. “Establishing an interagency taskforce that includes drivers will be critical. From charging logistics and restroom access to affordability and enforcement, there are many challenges ahead and the drivers must be part of that planning. An economic impact study [should be] looking at factors like the cost for qualifying vehicles, maintenance, parts, driver time spent waiting on charging vehicles, and the supply of qualifying vehicles.”

Source: Independent Drivers Guild

Article by Black Car News

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