2023-10-09 04:00:00
A driver from Quebec hopes that the government will change the law limiting the use of a taxi car to 10 years because his 2014 Tesla S is still in good condition despite its 465,000 km.
Christian Roy was a real pioneer in 2014 when he bought a Tesla S to use as a taxi.
But his initiative could soon turn against him since, despite a significant investment, he will have to withdraw his car from service in a little over a year, with Quebec law limiting the age of a car used for paid transport of passengers to 10 years. people.
“For five years, I have been pleading my case with the government that it makes no sense to take my car off the road. Customers who don’t know Tesla think it’s new. There is nothing to complain about aesthetically,” he says.
The condition of the rear seats does not suggest that it is a 2014 with 465,000 km. Martin Lavoie
“The S models are made of aluminum, they don’t rust,” he continues. I still have 380 km of autonomy (out of 473 originally). There is no reason to take it off the road and have to invest another large amount. »
Heartbreaking choice
Mr. Roy believes he will never be able to afford another Model S if he has to comply with the rule.
“It’s $120,000 new. If I buy a four-year-old used one and have to change it after six years, that wouldn’t make sense either. I should probably choose a smaller model, to the detriment of the customers,” analyzes the driver.
The odometer of Christian Roy’s car dated October 2. Martin Lavoie
Despite its sedan silhouette, the S has a tailgate.
“The trunk is very large and the seats fold down. I answer calls from customers requesting vans. In no other Tesla model will I find so much space for the rear passengers and such a large trunk.”
An investment to amortize
Mr. Roy calculates that continuing to use his car for five years, for example, could allow him to save enough money for another Model S.
“I paid two or three times more for my car to have quality, I electrified my taxi as the government wants, but I don’t have more time to amortize it. It doesn’t make any sense to me,” he laments.
“The government advocates the electrification of transport. But it takes away my desire to continue in this direction, I have nothing that pushes me to continue investing,” he points out.
The government does not bend
For its part, the MTQ has not demonstrated any intention to change the law.
“The limit of 10 years completed […] is the result of a balance between the depreciation cost, safety and criteria linked to the service expected by customers in terms of reliability, comfort and aesthetics”, replied Louis-André Bertrand, spokesperson for the MTQ.
Adding that the MTQ continually analyzes its laws, Mr. Bertrand emphasizes that a taxi vehicle that has reached the 10-year limit can be resold and used as a private car.
Christian Roy and his 2014 Tesla S at the Supercharger at the IGA des Sources de Cap-Rouge. The driver would like to transport representatives of the MTQ or Minister Guilbeault to show them the condition of his car. Martin Lavoie
Resale is not an interesting option for Christian Roy, old taxi vehicles losing much more value than a private car.
Under the magnifying glass
Since it was eight years old, Mr. Roy’s car has been subject to two annual inspections. These checks, he says, are a much better indication of the condition of the vehicle and should be enough to qualify a car for taxi.
“Whether the car is 10, 12 or even 15 years old, if it passes the inspection, it will be safer than many others that do not pass any inspection. Which therefore means that there are no cars safer than a taxi vehicle, regardless of age,” he insists.
The driver even extends an invitation to decision-makers.
“All I’m asking is to meet a senior member of the MTQ, and why not (Minister) Geneviève Guilbeault to show them around. I will demonstrate to them beyond any doubt that this 10-year law has no reason to apply with regard to my Tesla or electric cars in general,” concludes Christian Roy.
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