NYC: Speeding towards all-hybrid taxi fleet
Taxis might not be as green as biking or riding the subway, but with a rapidly growing hybrid fleet, New York's yellow taxis are quickly working to narrow the gap. Starting October 1st all taxis entering the yellow taxi fleet must be hybrids, unless they're specially equipped for handicapped passengers. That's to ensure that the New York Limousine and Taxi Commission reaches its goal of having an entirely hybrid fleet by 2012. In addition to the 1,300 hybrid taxis ferrying people back and forth across the metropolis, Nissan, GM and Ford have promised to deliver 300 more hybrids -- 200 Altimas, 50 Malibus, and Escapes, respectively -- to the city fleet, putting the commission ahead of schedule for the year. According to the Commission's chairman Matthew Daus, each hybrid saves taxi drivers an estimated $6,500 per year. Maybe so, but I doubt the fuel savings will translate to lower cab fares. What do you think?












