NYC Cabs To Go Green

A new rule adopted by NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission will force all those cabs to be more green starting next year.

The rule requires all cabs bought after October 1, 2008 (all taxi cab drivers must buy a new cab every 3-5 years) to get at least 25 miles to the gallon. This restriction will go even tighter in the Fall of 2009, requiring all cabs purchased thereafter to get 30 miles per gallon. With most of the city's 13,000 cabs composing of the iconic Ford Crown Victorias, which only get 14mpg, this new rule could completely change the look of the fleet.

NYC's major Michael Bloomberg has stated his own desire to see the entire taxi cab fleet convert to hybrids by 2012, a goal this rule is certainly aimed to accomplish.

While I'm all for being green, I doubt most of the taxi cab drivers will go for hybrid cabs. Hybrids still command a good premium over traditional engines, and with a 3-5 year turnaround time on the cabs, it could put an unacceptable burden on their budgets. More likely, they will probably purchase more efficient all-gas vehicles that are cheaper than hybrid models.

An aggressive tax break and discount program from auto manufacturers like Toyota (who would greatly benefit from stealing business from Ford by having the fleet turn hybrid); however, could spur a dramatic change in the fleet in the coming years.

Rule will force NYC taxis to go green [CNN]