New York’s taxi and limousine commission posted a notice on Monday that would suspend EV registration on TLC cars. This ruling directly impacts companies such as Revel, a New York startup that is seeking to launch an all-Tesla fleet of vehicles. The ruling took place a whole day before it was set to happen.

According to the TLC, their plan to eliminate the electric vehicle exemption was due to concerns about traffic congestion. The TLC put out a notice stating, “A public hearing was held virtually by the TLC and the rule was adopted by the Commission at the June 22, 2021 Commission meeting” — a meeting that didn’t  happen until the following day.

While the TLC’s ruling causes unexpected delays in Revel’s launch, the company seems un-phased. 

It seems that the city’s ruling  would have an impact on AER’s core business model. As a rideshare combined with a car share dealing exclusively with luxury electric vehicles, it’s important to note that the ruling to suspend EV registration on TLC vehicles won’t thwart AER’s goal to reduce CO₂ emissions. 

CO₂ emissions  caused from high density traffic is still a cause of major concern in large cities such as New York. Therefore it will become increasingly important to incorporate solutions that will help to alleviate those negative effects. AER’s car share model would reduce CO₂ emissions while allowing for there to be a smaller number of cars on the road. It would also offer a platform for owners of a luxury electric vehicle to earn a stipend that can be used towards the payment of their vehicle and insurance. The benefits of our approach to these problems  outweigh the rationale behind the TLC’s decision.