Net Zero staff report delayed until fall
The City of Toronto’s staff report, outlining the vehicle-for-hire industry’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2030, is now expected at the Economic and Community Development Committee (ECDC) this fall. It was originally expected to be presented at the ECDC meeting scheduled for July 6th.
More information, including how to provide comments to the Committee, will be provided once specific timing and the meeting agenda are finalized, according to an email distributed by the Vehicle for Hire Review Team. More information is available at toronto.ca/vehicle-for-hire-bylaw-updates.
Taxi News attended and reported on the Net Zero stakeholder sessions held last spring.
City staff are proposing the following in the draft regulatory approach:
- All vehicles used as vehicles-for-hire would be required to be zero emissions as of 2030. Wheelchair accessible vehicles would be exempt from this requirement.
- The age limit for zero emissions vehicles, used as vehicles-for-hire, would be waived, as long as vehicles pass an annual safety inspection.
- Hybrid vehicles would be permitted to be used as vehicles-for-hire until 2032. The seven-year vehicle age limit requirement would still apply.
- The City would consider the needs of the vehicle-for-hire industry when planning and deploying public electric vehicle charging in Toronto.
- The licensing fees for zero emission vehicles-for-hire would be reduced over the next several years, leading up to 2030.
- The City would provide additional education resources on zero emission vehicles for the vehicle-for-hire industry.
- Private transportation companies with over 500 vehicles would be required to offer a pooled-ride option on their platform. Exceptions would be provided for public health emergencies.
