Tesla Taxi Service Pulls Out of Victoria Due to Pandemic

Electric taxi services using Tesla’s electric cars have been popping up around North America, though most electric taxi companies have faced multiple barriers, given the burgeoning electric car market.

Kelowna, British Columbia-based electric taxi service Current, has announced that it plans to pull its current electric vehicles (EVs) from Victoria, as reported by the Times Colonist. The Canadian company, which was granted approval to operate in Victoria in just fall 2019, plans to cease operations in the city today on Monday, June 28.

The tourism industry in Victoria has been hit hard, considering the Canada-U.S. border remains closed to non-essential travel. Cruise lines have also bypassed the B.C. capital, while numerous ferry services from Washington State in the U.S. have also stopped operations due to COVID-19, all affecting Current’s taxi  business.

Current said, “The effect this pandemic has had on our business over the past 15 months has been substantial.” the company continued, “This is an unfortunate outcome, especially for the amazing people that we’ve had working with us in Victoria. This closure is in no way a reflection of their efforts or our love for our beautiful capital city.”

The company called itself Canada’s first all-electric taxi company when it first began hitting Victoria.

Despite the removal from Victoria, Current says it plans to hold onto licenses for 15 taxis in Victoria, in hopes to return to the city once tourism picks back up.

Current announced in March that it had saved a total of 32,349 kilograms of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of saving 535 trees, according to the company.