Toronto Mayor Removes Tesla from Rebate Program

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is planning to remove Elon Musk’s Tesla from the city’s zero-emissions grant program in response to the Canada-U.S. tariffs. Chow said at a budget meeting on Tuesday that she would introduce a motion to ban Tesla from the list of vehicles eligible for a licensing fee grant that encourages ride-sharing drivers to buy electric vehicles. The move would take effect on March 1, Chow said. Taxi drivers with Tesla vehicles who are seeking to obtain or renew their licenses will not receive the grant.

The Zero Emissions Grant Program, which aims to phase out gasoline taxis and ride-sharing vehicles over the next seven years and encourage drivers to buy electric vehicles, was launched in 2023. Chau said drivers should continue to buy other electric cars, not Teslas. Meanwhile, officials said the city's new plan would not affect taxi drivers who own Teslas and have these vehicles under the program.