Image: Eric Richardson

Kia is charging into the future of urban transport with its battery-electric PV5 van. The PV5-based WAV New York Taxi and Rideshare concept made its live debut at the 2026 New York Auto Show, signaling the South Korean automaker's push to lead this growing segment.

Last November, the PV5 was announced as the winner of the 2026 International Van of the Year (IVOTY). In its home country, it'll be sold as both a passenger and cargo van (a potential future Rivian EDV rival?) but it remains unknown whether it'll arrive stateside. The cargo version would be highly attractive to small businesses. We remain hopeful. 

Kia hasn't officially confirmed anything but the WAV New York Taxi concept's very existence is a promising sign. The automaker developed the concept as part of a collaboration with BraunAbility, the leading Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) conversion company in North America.

Per Kia: 

"The PV5 WAV New York Taxi and Rideshare concept is designed to meet two key pillars of future mobility: sustainability and improved ADA-compliant accessibility for wheelchair users."

It's important to note that the PV5, from the get-go, was designed for real-world EV conversions. Its dedicated electric platform simplifies modifications, allowing partners like BraunAbility to deliver high-quality, cost-effective wheelchair-accessible taxis and rideshare vehicles. The van's low step-in height and integrated tiedowns make boarding easier for all passengers, including those using wheelchairs, while ensuring consistent securement. 

"Kia's collaboration with BraunAbility benefits those involved, expanding the existing product portfolios of both companies in the U.S. market, while aiming to offer greater quality and choice to vehicle operators and improved mobility to WAV users," said Sangdae Kim, executive vice president and head of the PBV Division at Kia.

Kia and BraunAbility are now expanding real-world testing in New York, gathering input from fleet operators, disability advocates, and government agencies to refine the vehicle for mass deployment.

Source: Clean Trucking

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DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei and NYC Chief Fleet Officer/DCAS Deputy Commissioner Keith Kerman

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and NYC Parks jointly announced that the city has reached a new electric vehicle milestone, surpassing 1,000 electric vehicles assigned to law enforcement agencies. To reach the latest milestone, the City of New York has acquired 70 electric vehicles for NYC Parks and 33 for DSNY. As a part of the announcement, DCAS, DSNY, and NYC Parks jointly announced that all of their law enforcement vehicles will fully electrify by 2030, five years ahead of the 2035 target in Local Law 140.

These latest electric vehicle purchases mark a major step in the city’s efforts to modernize municipal operations, reduce emissions, and support safe, effective public service delivery. To date, the City of New York operates nearly 10,500 electrified units including 5,780 electric vehicles and 4,600 hybrid units. In addition, 11,695 fleet units use 100% renewable diesel including law enforcement response trucks.

“For the first time in our history, New York City now operates more than 1,000 electric vehicles in law enforcement service,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “By investing in clean, modern fleet technology, we are improving efficiency, reducing emissions, and ensuring that city agencies have the tools they need to serve New Yorkers safely and effectively.”

“New York City is electric!” said Gregory Anderson, Commissioner, NYC Sanitation. “I’m pleased that DSNY can contribute to a cleaner and greener city by adding more electric vehicles to our fleet and help contribute to the largest electric law enforcement fleet in the country. Our Enforcement personnel play a critical role in ensuring cleanliness across the city, and these vehicles continue to serve them well.”

“These new electric vehicles significantly bolster our agency's expanding EV fleet for Parks Enforcement Patrol, helping us keep New Yorkers safe while improving air quality and reducing fuel costs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “We’re grateful to DCAS for providing these essential vehicles, as our city continues to lead the way by meeting electric vehicle milestones well ahead of target.”

Law enforcement represents the largest segment of the city’s fleet, with approximately 11,000 vehicles across 15 agencies used in enforcement roles, including the New York City Police Department, Department of Correction, NYC Sheriff, Probation, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Sanitation, Parks, Department of Investigation, Taxi and Limousine Commission, Department of Homeless Services, Human Resources Administration, Fire Department of New York, and NYC Emergency Management. Of the 1,000 electric vehicles in city law enforcement, NYPD utilizes the majority, with nearly 500 in their portfolio.

The 1,000-vehicle threshold was reached through deployments across multiple agencies, including NYPD, the NYC Sheriff’s Office, and Probation, with the introduction of new electric enforcement models such as the Chevy EV Blazer, the city’s first pursuit-rated electric vehicle. DCAS procured 58 Blazers in the first citywide order. Other electric models in use include the Chevy Bolt, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford Lightning, Chevy Silverado EV, and Ford E-Transit. The Department of Correction has also launched the city’s first electric K-9 enforcement unit.

“NYC is leading the state in fleet electrification with the largest electric fleet and charging network,” states Keith Kerman, NYC Chief Fleet Officer and Deputy Commissioner at DCAS. “As importantly, we are showing EVs can work in some of the most challenging applications and assignments including law enforcement and emergency response. We have more to do but 1,000 EVs in law enforcement is an important, nation-leading, threshold and we thank our agency partners across city government.”

Source: NYC.Gov

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Waymo’s Robot Car Testing Ends in NYC After Permits Expire

Robot cars are no longer being put to the test — for now — on New York City streets.

A pair of permits issued last year that allowed Waymo to test its autonomous vehicle technology in parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan expired March 31.

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The Astroturf War in New York over Car Insurance Reform

Car insurance in New York has reached a breaking point, with costs climbing to levels that now rank among the highest in the country. Researchers and policymakers increasingly agree that the problem runs deeper than normal market fluctuations.

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Uber Expands $4,000 Grants for Drivers Who Switch to EVs

Uber drivers across the United States can get a $4,000 grant from the ride-hailing giant if they switch to an electric car. The program was initially available to drivers in New York City, California, Massachusetts, and Colorado, and has now been expanded to Uber drivers anywhere in the U.S.

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Bolt Expands Its Hopp Ride-Hailing Brand into Canadian Corporate Travel

Bolt, the Estonian mobility company that operates in more than 50 countries, has expanded its Canadian ride-hailing brand Hopp into corporate travel with the launch of Hopp for Business across 17 municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area.

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Kingston to Consider Paying $400K to Cover Outstanding Bills, Audit of Taxi Commission

Kingston city council is being asked to fork over up to $400,000 to the Kingston Area Taxi Commission (KATC) in order to cover outstanding expenses and a forensic audit of the troubled organization. According to a staff report, reviews by city staff and recently appointed replacement commissioners "identified significant governance, operational, financial, and compliance concerns." Councillors will consider the report at their April 7 meeting. They've also revealed that KATC only has around $25,000 to its name.

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Rideshare Company Uride Says It Will Launch in Yellowknife

A rideshare company called Uride is expected to launch in Yellowknife. Uride, founded in Thunder Bay in 2017, says it currently serves 26 locations in Canada. It has also expanded to parts of Mexico and Germany. According to a description of the company, it was launched with an aim to “end impaired driving while bringing safe, affordable, and reliable rides to communities often overlooked by industry giants.”

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BTA: Between AI and Regulation: Will Autonomous Vehicles Soon Appear on Bulgarian Streets?

In early March, Associated Press reported that London’s streets are expected to welcome robotaxis soon, while in mid-February dpa said that German carmaker Volkswagen is preparing to launch self-driving minivans in a third European city and its first outside Germany. At the end of 2025, Toyota opened an experimental “Woven City” in Japan featuring autonomous cars and robots. In response to a BTA inquiry about the development of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said the country is at a key stage in deploying these technologies.

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Is Uber Heading for a Two-Tier Future of Robot Private Hire Vehicles and High-End Human Chauffeurs?

The global race toward autonomous vehicles could do more than replace drivers on standard ride-hailing trips. It may fundamentally reshape how mobility firms compete, with pre-booked premium services emerging as a critical battleground for differentiation and revenue.

For companies like Uber, the long-term economics of autonomous vehicles are widely viewed as favourable.

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Mini Car Sales in Amsterdam Slide Following Parking Permit Halt

Fewer people in Amsterdam are buying popular mini cars such as the Birò since the council stopped issuing city-wide parking permits, the Parool reported on Monday. Six months ago, the maximum of 3,000 “park everywhere” licences was reached, and sales of the popular cars have plunged, the paper said.

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Singapore: Cross-Border Taxi Drivers Welcome New Freedom

A licensed taxi driver operating out of the Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor Baru claims that Malaysian cross-border taxis are now permitted to drop off passengers at any location in Singapore as of this month. Speaking to StarMetro, the driver said that he was notified of this development by an officer from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority.

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BYD Establishes New Linghui Electric Taxi Unit, Offers $2,300 in Free Charging

Chinese giant BYD announced the creation of Linghui, a new business unit dedicated exclusively to electric taxis and urban mobility services. The initiative includes an incentive package for drivers, highlighting free charging credits worth US$2,300.

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The Rise of Ride-Hailing in Asia Pacific

More than 13 billion ride-hailing trips were conducted in the first half of 2025, with Asia-Pacific accounting for well over half (57.5 per cent) of the global market. Latin America overtook Europe to become the third-largest region after North America, according to ABI Research’s Ride Hailing Market Data report. China and India together account for nearly 80 per cent of the Asia-Pacific market, while Indonesia and Vietnam represent a combined 11 per cent of the market.

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Image: NYC.gov

New York City just added another DC fast-charging hub, and this one is clearly aimed at the drivers who need it most.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn, and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) have opened a new public EV fast-charging station at a municipal lot in downtown Flushing, Queens (135-23 39th Avenue). It’s the first of 10 sites planned over the next year as part of a partnership between NYC DOT and NYPA.

The Flushing site has eight 360 kW fast chargers that can take an EV to 80% in around 10–15 minutes. And drivers won’t be charged extra for parking while they plug in.

The city picked this location because it has limited access to affordable charging and a high number of residents who are Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) drivers – more than a third live in Queens.

Fast-charging access is still uneven across New York City, and for professional drivers, downtime directly affects income.

NYPA, which runs the statewide EVolve NY network with about 300 fast chargers, is building out more sites at NYC DOT municipal lots. Two more Queens locations – in Bayside (214-32 41st Avenue) and Rosedale (13913 Francis Lewis Boulevard) – are expected to open in the next few weeks.

There are also now 12 chargers online at LaGuardia Airport specifically for rideshare drivers.

All told, the plan is to bring 66 EVolve NY fast chargers to 10 municipal parking facilities across Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

Source: Electrek

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