Columbus, OH, November 20, 2018 – Smart Columbus today announced $90,000 in incentive funding available to help central Ohio-based rideshare drivers and fleet managers make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The Smart Columbus Transportation Service Provider Battery Electric Vehicle Rebate Program, which was initially open only to taxi companies, is now open to all transportation service providers — both companies, and individual drivers who accept fares through ride-hailing apps. The program is funded by the $10 million grant awarded to Columbus by the Paul G. Allen Philanthropies as the winner of the Smart City Challenge. 

Thirty incentives of $3,000 each are available to transportation service providers who purchase new, fully electric vehicles between November 20, 2018 and April 15, 2019. Drivers must transport paid fares at least 10,000 miles during the first year of ownership to receive the full incentive.

“Ridesharing services have given our residents a new mobility option and created a new, flexible employment option for drivers in our region. We’re pleased to further advance ridesharing in our community by improving the sustainability of the vehicles in these networks,” said Michael Stevens, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Columbus. “This is also an opportunity to demonstrate that electric vehicles are an attractive option for high-mileage drivers, including ridesharing and taxi drivers.”

In July, Smart Columbus issued 10 incentives worth $30,000 to Columbus Yellow Cab through the Transportation Service Provider Battery Electric Vehicle Rebate Program. Through the program, Smart Columbus expects to eliminate 135 to 269 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, for the service life of the 40 vehicles funded. The second phase of funding is open to taxis, transportation network companies registered with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and registered TNC company drivers, carsharing and ridesharing, such as vanpool commuter services and limo services.

Rebate recipients will be required to submit monthly data on vehicle utilization to Smart Columbus. Payments will be issued in the sum of $1,500 after 5,000 service miles are documented, and $1,500 after 10,000 service miles are documented. Rebate applications are available on the Smart Columbus website and are due by January 31, 2019. Clean Fuels Ohio has partnered with Smart Columbus to administer the program and is available to help residents complete their application. 

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About Smart Columbus
The City of Columbus’ Smart Columbus plan won the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) $40 million Smart City Challenge in June 2016 after competing against 77 cities nationwide to become the country’s first city to fully integrate innovative technologies – self-driving cars, connected vehicles and smart sensors – into its transportation network. Columbus was also awarded an additional $10 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Philanthropies to accelerate the transition to an electrified, low-emissions transportation system. Aligned investments totaling more than $500 million have been made by the private, public and academic institutions in the region to support technology and infrastructure investments that upgrade Columbus' transportation network and help make Columbus the model connected city of the future. Smart Columbus is a regional smart city initiative co-led by the City of Columbus and Columbus Partnership that includes partnerships with The Ohio State University, Battelle, American Electric Power and many more. 

For more information, visit the Smart Columbus website, www.smart.columbus.gov.