Image: NYSERDA

Despite persistent efforts to frame electric vehicle technology as immature or environmentally counterproductive, extensive research confirms that EVs are significantly cleaner than internal combustion engine vehicles over their lifespan. A common myth suggests that the raw material mining and manufacturing processes required for EV batteries create a pollution deficit too steep to overcome. However, a new report from BloombergNEF shows that a typical U.S. driver offsets those initial production emissions within roughly 25,000 miles, or approximately two years of driving.

This result aligns with a recent University of Michigan study that places the average environmental break-even point at slightly under two years. Because burning a gallon of gasoline creates immense ongoing pollution, EVs quickly erase the manufacturing head start held by conventional cars, even when charging on localized power grids that still rely on fossil fuels like coal. As regional grids transition to renewable energy and advanced battery chemistries emerge, this break-even timeline will continue to shrink.

Source: NYSERDA

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Image: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced a new one-year pilot program that allows the city’s licensed taxi cabs to accept trip requests directly through major ridesharing applications like Uber and Lyft.

Under this initiative, e-hailing platforms utilized by traditional taxis, such as Curb and ARRO, will interface with the rideshare apps to route passenger demand to available cabs. Rather than relying on standard taxicab meters, these rides will utilize the same upfront pricing structure standard to Uber and Lyft passengers.

Mayor Wu noted that the collaboration aims to help the taxi industry capture more market demand, boost driver earnings, and decrease wait times for the public. The program is supported by the Boston Police Department's Hackney Carriage Unit, which regulates the city's taxi operations. While local cab drivers have expressed optimism about sharing in the rideshare business, some rideshare drivers have raised concerns regarding vehicle ownership differences and operational expenses. Notably, the pilot program excludes trips servicing Logan Airport.

Source: WBEZ News

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Automakers Could Halt Car Sales in California Without Delay in Vehicle Tracking Law

Major automakers are warning that they may suspend all new and used car sales in California by July 1. The issue stems from a 2024 state law designed to protect domestic violence survivors from being tracked via vehicle technology. While car companies have implemented online tools to revoke remote access, they argue that required in-vehicle system changes are currently impossible to meet.

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Cobb Moving Forward with On-Demand Transit Expansion

Commissioners in Georgia’s Cobb County are moving forward with expanding their successful "CobbLinc Go" microtransit pilot program. The service, which is operated by Via Transportation, costs $1.1 million annually to operate, with 70% of funding from state and federal grants and 30% from the county.

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Sales Were Up at Pike Place After Pedestrian Pilot. Is That...Bad?

A temporary pedestrian pilot at Seattle's historic Pike Place Market has successfully boosted overall commercial tenant sales by 6.5% and drawn in more local visitors. Friends of the Market, a local civic group, opposes the pedestrianization, claiming that the loss of vehicle traffic and parking is hurting local grocery sales.

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Toronto Saw Significant Increase in Speeders After Camera Removals: City Report

A new city report reveals that Toronto has experienced a sharp spike in speeding after the provincial government removed 150 automated speed enforcement cameras last year. The average percentage of vehicles traveling 11 km/h or more over the limit quadrupled, from 2% of drivers to 8.1% or drivers. Traffic fatalities have already risen 28% compared to last year.

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FlyteBoat Review: Electric Water Taxi an Efficient Option for Cross-Harbour Commuters

FlyteBoat, a new electric water taxi service in Halifax that offers quiet, comfortable, and environmentally friendly trips, is actively exploring a fixed-rate commuting service between Halifax and Dartmouth, providing a promising solution for rush-hour commuters looking to beat traffic.

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China's Carmakers Rush to Canada as a ‘Practice Run’ for US Sales

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are aggressively expanding into Canada despite strict import caps and low profit margins. Experts note that Canada could serve as a beachhead for expansion into the United States. Because Canada shares nearly identical consumer preferences and safety regulations with the U.S., transitioning south if U.S. policy towards the vehicles softens would be seamless.

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Rome Taxi Drivers Declare 24-Hour Strike Over Stalled Reforms

A broad coalition of taxi unions and trade associations has called for a 24-hour walkout in Rome on June 27, 2026. The protest organizers claim the city government has failed to fulfill commitments including enforcement against unlicensed competition and the approval of fare increases.

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Taxi Firm Gett Begins Direct NHS Patient Transport Operations as Healthcare Mobility Market Comes into Focus

Taxi platform Gett UK has officially launched its first direct patient transport services for the NHS, following its recent acquisition by ride-hailing giant Lyft. The expansion targets a massive market, with over £2 billion currently spent by the NHS on taxi services. Gett aims to cut costs and reduce patient waiting times by increasing the use of standard licensed taxis.

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Taxi Trade Rallies to Keep Cherished Scottish Children’s Outings on the Road

The Taxi Centre partnered with drivers and volunteers across Edinburgh and Glasgow to rescue two historic community outings to the coast for disadvantaged children and families. Despite financial and logistical uncertainty earlier this year that threatened cancellation, a collaborative industry-wide effort successfully kept the beloved seaside convoy tradition alive this summer.

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Kyoto Pref., Luup Roll Out GPS-Based E-Scooter Shutdown Zone Along Kamo River

Tokyo-based Luup Inc. has partnered with Kyoto Prefecture to deploy what they claim are the world’s first e-scooters which are programmed to fully stop the device. The measure enforces a local ordinance banning e-scooters from entering the historic and pedestrian-heavy Kamo River banks park.

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Costa Rica Airport Travelers Now Have a New Uber Taxi Option

Uber has launched a pilot program at Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría International Airport to allow licensed airport taxi drivers to register and accept fares directly through the app. Identified by their official orange color, these state-regulated taxis provide passengers with a curbside pickup option with upfront pricing.

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In Conversation with Diego Monraz Villaseñor, Secretary of Transport for Jalisco, Mexico

In this interview, Diego Monraz Villaseñor discusses the expansion and success of Jalisco's bus rapid transit (BRT) system, Mi Macro. Serving over 325,000 daily passengers, the system enhances urban mobility, improves regional equity, and substantially cuts carbon emissions. Villaseñor highlights BRT as a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable transportation option.

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Image: GBTA

New research from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), underscores the massive economic footprint of business travel across the United States. According to the June 2026 study, business travel spending reached $538.5 billion in 2024, ultimately generating $623.8 billion in total U.S. GDP (2.1% of the national total).

Key Takeaways for Transit & Infrastructure:

• Domestic travelers logged 487.8 million business trips in 2024, placing immense demand and opportunity for local mobility services.
• The sector supports 6.7 million American jobs—meaning 1 in every 24 U.S. jobs is linked to business travel activity.
• However, employment growth (3.9% from 2023-2024) has lagged spending gains (7.5% from 2023-2024), which reflects tighter labor markets, productivity gains, and evolving service delivery models.

The study emphasizes that even a marginal 1% increase in business travel spending ripples outward to generate an additional 66,800 jobs and $6.2 billion in GDP.

Source: GBTA

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