Abstract:

Technology improvements and commitments by ride-hailing operators and governments alike indicate that ride-hailing fleets are poised to shift to electric vehicles. This shift could result in outsized climate and public health benefits due to the high number of kilometers driven by these vehicles. Major cities where these fleets are concentrated can play a role in making this transition faster and maximizing the benefits for drivers, the public, and the climate. In order to support the shift to electric by ride-hailing fleets, city governments can implement policies that address the barriers of affordability, convenience, and awareness. This paper is designed to aid cities in accelerating the electrification of ride-hailing fleets to reduce their environmental impacts; it does not assess the complex advantages and drawbacks of ride-hailing platforms more broadly. To guide governments’ financial policies and investments, it investigates two key uncertainties around electric ridehailing vehicles: the total cost of ownership compared to hybrid and combustion engine vehicles, and the charging infrastructure needed for an electric ride-hailing fleet. The paper also catalogs government and industry programs to transition this sector to electric, including incentives, mandates, infrastructure, and driver education.