Los Angeles Is Considering Make Uber and Lyft Go All-Electric

“The Financial Times is reporting that Los Angeles may now force Uber and Lyft to use electric cars,” reports Electrek: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said, “We have the power to regulate car share. We can mandate and are looking closely at mandating that any of those vehicles in the future be electric….” Mayor Garcetti’s concept to require rideshare services to use EVs has not yet moved beyond the idea phase. But the Los Angeles city council is considering how to exert more control over rideshare services, including by creating a driver-registration program. The state’s Public Utilities Commission currently regulates ride-hailing services in California. Implementing the EV policy for Uber and Lyft drivers could be tricky. Most drivers own their vehicles. Regardless, Mayor Garcetti is seeking any means to use city powers to mitigate climate change. He said: “Local actors, no matter who is in power, are the most critical elements of whether or not we win the fight against climate change. It is local governments and regional governments that regulate or directly control building codes, transportation networks, and electricity generation, which together are 80% of our emissions.”