Financial incentives will longer be provided for the electric vehicles purchased as taxis or ride shares
18 March 2025 - 18:20
byWa Lone
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Toronto mayor Olivia Chow speaks to reporters at a news conference outside a fire station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 17 2025. Picture: REUTERS/WA LONE
Toronto — Toronto is no longer providing financial incentives for Tesla vehicles purchased as taxis or ride shares due to trade tensions with the US, the city’s mayor, Olivia Chow, said on Monday.
The city is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles purchased as vehicles for hire by giving drivers and owners a reduction in licensing fees and renewal fees until the end of 2029, to help it lower emissions.
But from March 1, Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible for the incentives, Chow said at a news conference.
“The vehicles for hire, like taxis, will have to find a different kind of car,” she said after the news conference. “There are other electric cars they could purchase.”
The exclusion will continue until trade issues with the US are resolved, she said.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chow said the decision was made to target and respond to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is a top adviser to US President Donald Trump. Trump has called for Canada’s annexation and imposed tariffs on Canadian products, angering Canadians.
“We have certainly said that if you want to buy a Tesla, go ahead, but don’t count on taxpayer money to subsidise it,” she said.
Chow said the financial impact of the move would not be large.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Toronto pulls Tesla incentives amid US trade war
Financial incentives will longer be provided for the electric vehicles purchased as taxis or ride shares
Toronto — Toronto is no longer providing financial incentives for Tesla vehicles purchased as taxis or ride shares due to trade tensions with the US, the city’s mayor, Olivia Chow, said on Monday.
The city is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles purchased as vehicles for hire by giving drivers and owners a reduction in licensing fees and renewal fees until the end of 2029, to help it lower emissions.
But from March 1, Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible for the incentives, Chow said at a news conference.
“The vehicles for hire, like taxis, will have to find a different kind of car,” she said after the news conference. “There are other electric cars they could purchase.”
The exclusion will continue until trade issues with the US are resolved, she said.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chow said the decision was made to target and respond to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is a top adviser to US President Donald Trump. Trump has called for Canada’s annexation and imposed tariffs on Canadian products, angering Canadians.
“We have certainly said that if you want to buy a Tesla, go ahead, but don’t count on taxpayer money to subsidise it,” she said.
Chow said the financial impact of the move would not be large.
“It’s more symbolic,” she said.
Reuters
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