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Electric vehicles & charging: TLC Driver Hub

Driving an EV for hire in NYC: Green Rides targets, why new EV-only licenses stopped, how many TLC cars are electric, charging discounts and real costs.

  • Reviewed
  • 2 min read
  • 4 official sources
On this page (8)
  1. Start here: five things to know
  2. Going electric, step by step
  3. Most common questions
  4. Data and statistics
  5. Tools for this topic
  6. Official contacts and sources
  7. FAQ
  8. Sources

In short: About 13% of for-hire cars in NYC are now fully electric (our count of TLC's vehicle lists, October 2026), more than half of them Teslas, and TLC's Green Rides rule pushes Uber and Lyft to send a growing share of trips to electric or wheelchair-accessible cars. But the easy way in has closed: TLC is not issuing new EV-only licenses, so drivers go electric by switching the car on a license they already have. Charging is growing (3,526 Level 2 and 370 fast chargers citywide at the end of February 2026) and EVs cost less per mile to run, but TLC's own figures show they can cost more to own. This hub links every EV page.

Start here: five things to know

EVs in the TLC world (sources dated below)

  1. No new EV-only licenses. TLC opened EV-only FHV licenses in the past; its February 2026 review says none were issued in the past year and only WAV-restricted licenses remain available. See EV-only FHV license rules and can I get an EV TLC license now.
  2. Switching is possible. The same review counted 959 gas-to-EV conversions in the FHV fleet in a year. Read can I switch my TLC car to an EV.
  3. Green Rides is on the companies. Uber and Lyft choose how to meet it: incentives, or sending more trips to existing EVs and WAVs. See Green Rides explained and the short glossary entry.
  4. Running cost vs owning cost. TLC's 2024 expense study put EV electricity at 10.2¢ a mile vs 13.0¢ for gas, but an owned EV's total cost at nearly 17% more per mile. TLC's 2026 review adds that the federal EV tax credit (up to $7,500) ended in September 2025.
  5. Plan your charging. Where the fast chargers are, discounts and waiting time: EV charging for TLC drivers.

Going electric, step by step

Switching your TLC car to an EV

  1. Check your license

    You need a TLC vehicle license you already hold; new EV-only licenses are not being issued.

  2. Compare the costs

    Running cost and 5-year ownership cost. Use the EV savings and lease-or-buy calculators.

  3. Plan charging

    Home or depot charging? Which fast-charging sites near where you work?

  4. Pick the model

    Check range, insurance quotes and what other TLC drivers use.

  5. Good to know: Replace the vehicle with TLC

    Follow TLC's vehicle replacement and inspection steps before you drive for hire.

Most common questions

Data and statistics

Most common battery-electric models in the TLC fleet (Oct 2026)

From TLC's active vehicle lists, decoded by VIN. The Tesla Model Y is the most common EV by far.

  1. Tesla Model Y6,157
  2. Fisker Ocean2,731
  3. Toyota bZ4X1,159
  4. Tesla Model 31,066
  5. Cadillac Lyriq548
  6. Kia Niro302
  7. Hyundai Ioniq 5166
  8. Cadillac Vistiq128
  9. Volkswagen ID.4105
  10. Ford Mustang Mach-E105
Show data table
LabelBattery-electric vehicles (vehicles)
Tesla Model Y6,157
Fisker Ocean2,731
Toyota bZ4X1,159
Tesla Model 31,066
Cadillac Lyriq548
Kia Niro302
Hyundai Ioniq 5166
Cadillac Vistiq128
Volkswagen ID.4105
Ford Mustang Mach-E105

Source: NYC Open Data: FHV - Active (8wbx-tsch) and Medallion Vehicles - Authorized (rhe8-mgbb), VINs decoded with NHTSA vPIC · Data as of Oct 12, 2026. TLC's vehicle lists have no make/model column, so TLC Help decoded the VIN of every licensed vehicle with NHTSA's vPIC decoder (one representative VIN per manufacturer + model-descriptor + model-year pattern) and published only counts. 5 of 115,081 vehicles (0%) could not be decoded to a model and are left out. vPIC sometimes reports trim-family names (e.g. 'RX' not 'RX 350h'); powertrain comes from vPIC's electrification/fuel fields and may misclassify a few model years. Snapshot lists change daily.

More: electric Uber, Lyft and taxi cars: fleet data, Green Rides progress: EV and WAV trip share, EV charging statistics by borough. Each EV model has its own page under vehicle models, with counts from the TLC fleet.

Tools for this topic

The EV vs hybrid vs gas savings calculator compares weekly energy costs with your own prices. The rent, lease or buy calculator covers the car itself.

Official contacts and sources

TLC's twice-yearly FHV license reviews (latest: February 2026) report EV counts, chargers and license decisions. The Green Rides rule is §59D-13(c) in Chapter 59. TLC's Data and Research page links its reports and Factbook.

Everything in this topic

Guides

4All guides
EVs & chargingEV Charging for NYC TLC Drivers: Where, Discounts, TipsWhere TLC drivers can fast-charge in NYC: the five DOT sites with a 15% TLC discount and how busy each is, airport chargers, and how to sign up.Read EVs & chargingEV or Hybrid for Uber in NYC? Costs, Charging, RulesTLC's own numbers: a Model Y costs over 40% more to own over 5 years than a Camry Hybrid, and EVs ran 17% more per mile. When an EV still makes sense for you.Read EVs & chargingEV-Only FHV Licenses: Rules, History and StatusTLC's EV-only FHV licenses explained: the 2019–2023 windows, the 25-per-SSN rule, the Nov 2023 court cutoff, and why only WAV plates are open in 2026.Read EVs & chargingGreen Rides Initiative: EV and WAV Targets to 2030TLC's Green Rides rule makes Uber and Lyft send 25% of 2026 trips to EVs or WAVs, 100% by 2030. How it's counted, the fine, and what it means for you.Read

Questions

2All questions
EVs & chargingCan I Get an EV TLC License (Plates) Right Now?No. TLC closed EV-only FHV applications on Nov 13, 2023 by court order, and its Feb 2026 review issued none. What's open instead, and how to hear news.Read EVs & chargingCan I Switch My Current TLC Car to an Electric Vehicle?Yes, if you already hold FHV plates: a TLC vehicle transfer moves your license to an EV for $25 plus inspection. The 15-day rule, steps, and WAV catch.Read

Glossary

2All glossary
Green Rides InitiativeTLC rule 59D-13(c) requiring Uber and Lyft to send a rising share of trips to zero-emission or wheelchair accessible vehicles: 25% in 2026, 100% in 2030.Zero-Emission VehicleIn TLC rules, a vehicle with no direct exhaust or tailpipe emissions, such as a battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell car; hybrids do not qualify.

Statistics

3All statistics
EVs & chargingElectric Uber, Lyft and Taxi Cars in NYC: Fleet DataNYC had about 13,700 electric for-hire vehicles in Oct 2026, up from 1,125 in March 2023. Growth by year, top EV models, conversions, and no electric WAVs.See the data EVs & chargingEV Charging for TLC Drivers: Chargers and Use by BoroughNYC had 3,526 Level 2 and 370 fast chargers at the end of Feb 2026. Where the 352 new ones went, how busy city chargers are, and how that compares to pickups.See the data EVs & chargingGreen Rides Progress: EV and WAV Share of Uber/Lyft TripsScorecard for TLC's Green Rides targets: 25% of Uber and Lyft trips in EVs or WAVs in 2026, with 20%+ reported. Targets, results, WAV trip data.See the data

Free tools

1All free tools
EVs & chargingEV vs Hybrid vs Gas Savings Calculator for TLC DriversCompare the weekly and yearly energy cost of an electric car and a gas or hybrid car for your miles and prices, with TLC's cost figures as a guide.Open tool

Vehicle models

6All vehicle models
EVs & chargingCadillac Lyriq: 548 TLC Cars, EV Data & Rules548 Cadillac Lyriqs are TLC-licensed EVs, the 5th most common electric model, and 61% are model-year 2024. EPA range, base types and EV license rules.Read EVs & chargingFisker Ocean: 2,731 TLC Cars, EV Data & Rules2,731 Fisker Oceans work as NYC FHVs, about 1 in 5 electric TLC cars, though Fisker went bankrupt in 2024. Fleet data, recalls and the inspection rules.Read EVs & chargingKia Niro: 327 TLC Cars, EV Data & Rules327 Kia Niros hold TLC licenses, 92% of them the electric version and 10 as yellow taxis. Model years, EPA range, and why new EV plates are closed.Read EVs & chargingTesla Model 3: 1,066 TLC Cars, EV Data & Rules1,066 Tesla Model 3s are TLC-licensed, including 14 yellow taxis, over half of all electric cabs. Model years, the 2023 spike and the EV rules for drivers.Read EVs & chargingTesla Model Y: 6,157 TLC Cars, EV Data & Rules6,157 Tesla Model Ys are TLC-licensed, the top EV in the fleet, and 73% are 2023 models. See why, what an EV-only license means, and TLC's cost study.Read EVs & chargingToyota bZ4X: 1,159 TLC Cars, EV Data & Rules1,159 Toyota bZ4X EVs are TLC-licensed, almost all model-year 2023 or 2024. Where they work, how they compare with Tesla and Fisker, and EV license rules.Read

Other topics

OATH hearings & processFines, payments & suspensionsTraffic safety, points & camerasEnforcement & unlicensed activityPassengers & service rulesGetting & keeping a TLC licenseVehicles, bases & inspectionsApps, bases & deactivationMedallions & ownershipAirports: JFK, LaGuardia & NewarkTolls, E-ZPass & congestion pricingZones, stands & places to workPay, fees & earnings rulesTaxes for TLC driversDriver rights & help programs

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a new TLC license for an electric car?

Not a new EV-only one right now. TLC's February 2026 review decided not to issue more FHV licenses except WAV-restricted ones, and noted no new EV-only licenses were issued in the past year. No electric wheelchair-accessible vehicle is on the US market, TLC says.

Can I switch the car on my existing TLC license to an EV?

Drivers do. TLC's February 2026 review counted 959 conversions from gas cars to EVs in the FHV fleet in the past year. Check the steps and the vehicle rules before you buy.

Do I have to drive an EV because of Green Rides?

No. TLC rule 59D-13(c) sets the targets for Uber and Lyft: the share of their trips done in zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible vehicles must be 25% in 2026, rising to 100% in 2030. It does not order drivers to buy an EV.

Is charging cheaper for TLC drivers?

TLC's February 2026 review says TLC drivers get a 15% discount at NYC DOT fast-charging sites, and Con Edison's SmartChargeNY program had 3,350 TLC-licensed registrants.

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. TLC: February 2026 For-Hire Vehicle License Review nyc.gov
  2. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (§59D-13(c) Green Rides) nyc.gov
  3. TLC: Revised HV-FHV Minimum Pay Standard Expense Model (Dec 2024) nyc.gov
  4. NYC TLC: Data and Research nyc.gov

Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.

TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.

Related

GuideEV or Hybrid for Uber in NYC? Costs, Charging, RulesTLC's own numbers: a Model Y costs over 40% more to own over 5 years than a Camry Hybrid, and EVs ran 17% more per mile. When an EV still makes sense for you.Read GuideEV Charging for NYC TLC Drivers: Where, Discounts, TipsWhere TLC drivers can fast-charge in NYC: the five DOT sites with a 15% TLC discount and how busy each is, airport chargers, and how to sign up.Read GuideGreen Rides Initiative: EV and WAV Targets to 2030TLC's Green Rides rule makes Uber and Lyft send 25% of 2026 trips to EVs or WAVs, 100% by 2030. How it's counted, the fine, and what it means for you.Read GuideEV-Only FHV Licenses: Rules, History and StatusTLC's EV-only FHV licenses explained: the 2019–2023 windows, the 25-per-SSN rule, the Nov 2023 court cutoff, and why only WAV plates are open in 2026.Read Free toolEV vs Hybrid vs Gas Savings Calculator for TLC DriversCompare the weekly and yearly energy cost of an electric car and a gas or hybrid car for your miles and prices, with TLC's cost figures as a guide.Open tool Data & statisticsElectric Uber, Lyft and Taxi Cars in NYC: Fleet DataNYC had about 13,700 electric for-hire vehicles in Oct 2026, up from 1,125 in March 2023. Growth by year, top EV models, conversions, and no electric WAVs.See the data