University of California Institute of Transportation Studies

Electrifying ridehailing services provided by transportation network companies (TNCs) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution while providing fuel and maintenance cost savings to TNC drivers. Policy levers have emerged to nudge the industry in this direction. California’s Senate Bill 1014 establishes a “clean miles standard” requiring an increasing percentage of ride-hailing services be provided by zero-emissions vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs)—together referred to as plug-in vehicles (PEVs). In spring 2019, researchers at UC Davis surveyed 732 TNC drivers in the US who already use a PEV, to understand their use and charging of their PEV. This is the second in a series of briefs highlighting the results of the survey. There is limited understanding of how drivers’ charging practices affect the potential benefits of electrifying TNCs. This research identifies segments of TNC-PEV drivers based on their vehicle charging practices (i.e., location, level, and time of day) to inform infrastructure planning.