San Antonio's streets might soon be bustling with more electric vehicles. The city's Transportation Advisory Board has proposed tripling the number of permits for e-vehicles for hire in the downtown district. A recent meeting concluded with a split board decision to bump the limit from 10 to 30 operators, a number that is now being reviewed by the city manager's office, San Antonio Report disclosed.

This call for more e-vehicle presence comes as lofty new apartment buildings, hotels, and sports entertainment venues are expected to escalate foot traffic in the area. Companies chomping at the bit, waiting for the chance to snag a permit, might face lengthy delays, though, as the SAPD has not indicated a decision timeline for permit alterations. "The Transportation Advisory Board only makes recommendations to city council or city staff, these recommendations are not binding, however, all recommendations are reviewed," SAPD spokeswoman Camelia Juarez stated, according to the San Antonio Report.

Adding fuel to the downtown transport transformation, EV owners have been reveling in complimentary parking at downtown meters, thanks to the city's efforts to promote eco-friendly transportation. Drivers of hybrid and electric vehicles are eligible for this perk provided they wade through the necessary paperwork and secure a registration application that can be found on the city's website. Compliance confirmed that the city equips approved drivers with a parking placard, as Express-News reports.

But while parking's on the house for some, downtown e-vehicle operators could be in for a rough ride. The fear of the market becoming oversaturated is tangible among current service providers. “It’s a free enterprise, it’s a free market, that’s how business operates, but at the same time, at what cost?”  lamented SaGO co-owner Kevin Mancha.

Amidst the downtown development's tightrope walk, one thing is clear: The surge in microtransit options has the potential to reshape San Antonio's urban landscape. While the prospect of broader choices for consumers is on the horizon, how this expansion will affect the fabric of local businesses remains parked at the intersection of opportunity and challenge.