Changing the Balance of Power in NYC’s Taxi Industry

Fernandeo Mateo, who advocates for taxi drivers, raised concerns on Thursday about the approximately 13,000 electric vehicle drivers for Uber, Lyft, and other rental companies. He believes they should be able to switch to hybrid vehicles due to the scarcity of electric vehicle chargers throughout New York City.

As the president of the New York State Taxi Drivers Federation, Mateo criticized the city’s push to have all ride-hailing vehicles either electric or accessible to those with disabilities by 2030. He suggested that such initiatives are hindering drivers’ capabilities.

“The ideal situation would be for drivers to have the option to say, ‘I can’t deal with this electric car. I’ll trade it in for a hybrid,’” he stated. “Or, you know, perhaps set up charging stations as if it were an emergency.”

This year, the Taxi and Limousine Commission plans to lift limits on the number of ride-share vehicles allowed to operate across the city, contingent on those vehicles being environmentally friendly or wheelchair accessible.

This initiative, referred to as the Green Ride Initiative, also aims to promote the development of charging infrastructure by private enterprises.

However, Mateo argues that the necessary infrastructure is simply lacking. He pointed out that electric drivers often find themselves running out of battery while waiting to access charging stations.

“New York will remain polluted and carbon-heavy until the proper infrastructure is established,” he mentioned.

Mateo shared, “I would consider buying an electric car, but only if I knew where to charge it. Standing in line for hours to get a charge isn’t feasible.”

City officials revealed that around one-third of electric vehicle drivers with TLC licenses manage to charge their cars at home, citing several charging hubs located at places like LaGuardia and JFK airports, as well as some areas in the Bronx.

According to TLC spokesperson Jason Kirsten, “We’re collaborating with the Department of Transportation, Con Edison, and the private sector to promote the installation of charging hubs in areas where drivers live and work, and this approach is yielding results.”

“Since the Green Ride Initiative launched, the number of fast chargers in the city has more than doubled, with plans for more to be installed throughout all five boroughs,” he added.