Tens of Millions in Annual Savings: Micromobility Solutions to Fix Toronto’s Traffic Without New Infrastructure

The Ford Government’s recent decision to limit bike lane expansions and remove some existing cycling infrastructure has sparked heated debates about the future of transportation in Ontario. At the same time, Toronto’s gridlock continues to worsen, costing residents and businesses millions of dollars every year in wasted time, fuel, and productivity. Our roads are dominated by delivery trucks, single-occupancy vehicles, and inefficient last-mile logistics, leaving little room for alternative solutions.

While infrastructure projects are often proposed to solve these issues, they require years of planning and billions of dollars to implement. With transportation policy shifting toward car-centric models, it’s time to explore micromobility solutions as an immediate, cost-effective alternative. Compact vehicles for passengers and cargo, and autonomous micromobility systems for cargo delivery, could transform urban transportation. Together, these innovations could save $75 million annually, reduce emissions, and make Toronto a model for sustainable urban mobility.

Why Micromobility is the Answer

Toronto’s gridlock stems from three key challenges:

• Large vehicles dominate the streets, contributing to congestion.
• Inefficient last-mile delivery systems rely on oversized vans.
• Fossil-fuel vehicles increase urban emissions and pollution.

Micromobility provides scalable solutions by replacing oversized vehicles with compact, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternatives. These solutions leverage existing infrastructure, offering immediate benefits.

Three Solutions to Transform Toronto’s Mobility

1. Compact Urban Passenger Vehicles (e.g., SARIT)

Compact urban passenger vehicles like SARIT or 雪铁龙 Ami are electric, small, and designed for short trips in dense urban areas. They reduce road congestion and emissions while offering the convenience of a car.

Replacing 10,000 daily single-occupancy car trips with compact vehicles like SARIT could:

• Save $5 million annually in fuel costs.
• Save $15 million annually in time costs due to reduced congestion.
• Reduce emissions by 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

To implement: Incentivize adoption through subsidies, car-sharing partnerships, and reduced parking fees for compact vehicles.

2. Compact Electric Cargo Vehicles (e.g., SARIT Cargo)

E-commerce has driven a surge in last-mile deliveries, with large delivery trucks contributing significantly to downtown congestion. Compact cargo vehicles like SARIT Cargo are small, road-legal, and capable of efficiently handling urban deliveries.

Replacing 5,000 daily delivery trucks with compact cargo vehicles could:

• Save $15 million annually in fuel costs.
• Save $25 million annually in time costs by reducing congestion.
• Reduce emissions by 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

To implement: Partner with logistics providers and e-commerce platforms to deploy compact cargo fleets in high-density delivery zones like Liberty Village and the Financial District.

3. Autonomous Micromobility Solutions for Cargo Delivery

Autonomous micromobility systems, including sidewalk robots and compact on-road vehicles, provide an efficient alternative for last-mile logistics. Autonomous cargo delivery solutions such as Telebotics streamline cargo movement without adding to road congestion.

Replacing 1,500 daily van trips with autonomous micromobility systems could:

• Save $5 million annually in fuel costs.
• Save $10 million annually in time costs.
• Reduce emissions by 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

To implement: Deploy side-walk robots in neighborhoods like King West and the Annex, and establish clear operational guidelines in collaboration with city regulators.

The Combined Impact

By adopting these micromobility solutions, Toronto could achieve:

• $25 million annually in fuel savings.
• $50 million annually in time savings.
• $75 million in total annual savings.
• 28,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions reduced annually.

A Call to Action

Micromobility solutions are uniquely positioned to address Toronto’s transportation challenges. Compact passenger and cargo vehicles reduce the footprint of daily commutes and urban deliveries, while autonomous micromobility systems streamline last-mile logistics. These technologies align with Ontario’s current transportation policies and provide immediate, measurable benefits—all without waiting for costly infrastructure upgrades.

Toronto’s policymakers, business leaders, and transportation innovators have an opportunity to lead. Micromobility transportation solutions are proven technologies ready for deployment. Let’s work together to create a city that moves better for everyone!