TORONTO — Toronto no longer offers financial incentives for Tesla vehicles purchased as taxis or as a ride due to trade tensions with the US, city mayor Olivia Chow said Monday.
The city will promote the adoption of electric vehicles purchased as vehicles for employment and reduce emissions by providing drivers and owners with reduced licensing and renewal fees until the end of 2029.
However, as of March 1, Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible for incentives, Chou said at a press conference.
“Employment vehicles like taxis need to find another type of vehicle,” she told Reuters after a press conference. “There are other electric cars that they can buy.”
The exclusion will continue until trade issues with the US are resolved, she said.
Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Chow told Reuters that the decision has been made to target Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the top adviser to President Donald Trump, to respond. Trump called for Canada to annex, angering Canadians and imposed tariffs on Canadian products.
“We certainly will move on if you want to buy a Tesla, but don’t rely on taxpayer money to subsidize it,” she said.
Butterfly said the economic impact of the move was not significant.
“It’s more iconic,” she said.
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