Abstract:

This briefing identifies emerging policy approaches to support the deployment of electric vehicles within ride-hailing fleets, with a focus on the United States. It discusses the adoption barriers unique to ride-hailing fleets and summarizes several policy approaches for states, cities, and utilities to accelerate the transition to electric shared mobility fleets. Based on innovative initiatives underway globally, ride-hailing fleets’ unique characteristics offer advantages relative to electrifying private cars. Ride-hailing fleets can educate their drivers about the large fuel savings of electric vehicles and can, with their financing companies, guide and facilitate vehicle acquisitions at more affordable low-interest financing or leasing rates. Electric ride-hailing vehicles especially accelerate the transition to electrification by accruing far more electric miles per vehicle than private vehicles, providing zero-emission travel options to many who do not otherwise have access. The examination reveals two high-level policy findings for electrifying ride-hailing fleets: (1) Policy tools can break down the prevailing barriers and accelerate electric ride-hailing. (2) A comprehensive charging infrastructure network will be critical for ride-hailing fleets to transition to all electric. This briefing is focused on the policy context of the United States, but more progressive actions regarding urban zero emission zones, like those in Europe, and much stronger vehicle and fleet regulations, like those in China, would go much further than the policy ideas discussed here.