Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Potential for Electrifying Transportation Network Companies in Toronto

Abstract

This study investigates the spatial and temporal patterns of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation network companies (TNCs) in Toronto, Canada. TNC services primarily consist of short-distance trips in the central business district. Deadheading—driving without passengers—contributes 40% of TNC GHG emissions, and part-time drivers had a higher deadheading proportion than full-time drivers. Pooled TNC trips account for 10% of total trips, and just 27% of pooled trips resulted in multiple passengers sharing a vehicle on the same route. The GHG implications of pooled trips were compared with other TNC services and with a consumer driving their own private vehicle, through the estimation of median trip emission intensities of each TNC service in grams of CO2eq per passenger-km, while accounting for deadheading. Non-pooled internal combustion engine (ICE) ride-hailing trips have a median emission intensity 61% higher than that of a single-occupancy private vehicle. The median emission intensity for a pooled ICE ride-hailing trip is 20% higher than that of driving one’s own vehicle. Vehicle electrification provides a 91% daily GHG emission reduction for this fleet. This reduction is mainly achieved through full-time drivers, who, on average, achieve three times as much GHG savings per electrified vehicle compared with part-time drivers.