Toronto city council has approved a motion by Mayor Olivia Chow to exclude Tesla vehicles from the city’s Zero Emission Grant Program for taxi and limousine owners. Effective March 1, new Tesla vehicles will no longer qualify for the licensing fee grant aimed at encouraging zero-emission transportation, a move the mayor says is intended to send a message regarding the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the U.S.
At the same time, Deputy Mayor Mike Colle says he wants to shut down Tesla’s store at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
On Tuesday Chow stated that Tesla is a “very popular brand” and that there is “no reason” for the city to subsidize its purchase. The motion passed with a vote of 20 to 4, but not without significant debate. Some council members, like Brad Bradford, questioned why Tesla was being singled out when other American manufacturers were still included in the grant program. All other electric vehicles, including Cadillacs made in the U.S., remain eligible for subsidies.
Chow defended the decision by arguing that it specifically targets Musk and his influence within the Trump administration rather than American automotive workers.
Deputy Mayor Mike Colle took the opposition a step further, suggesting he would push to remove the Tesla store at the Yorkdale Shipping Centre, calling Musk “the second most powerful man in the Trump administration who is hell-bent on destroying the Canadian economy.” (via The Star)
City documents indicate that, of the 21 zero-emission taxi and limousine owners currently receiving fee reductions, nine are Teslas. The total forgone revenue from these Tesla owners is just $4,677 since the program began.
While the motion will prevent new Tesla owners in the taxi and limousine industry from benefiting from the subsidies, existing Tesla owners already registered in the program will not be affected.
