New York cabs going green?

Hold your enthusiasm ma'am. You are like most people when they hear a story like this they want to get up and start celebrating. You think New York City is really doing a good thing by changing all their taxis to hybrid engines. First of all, those hybrid engines they are going to have to put in the cabs are going to cost an extra $7,000 each. Now how do you think they are going to make that money up, and it has to come from somewhere. Most likely the taxi fares are going to go up because last time I checked the taxi industry is in it to make money. Second of all, hybrids do not put out any less emmissions than standard gas engines. It still burns gas. Thirdly, hybrids vs their gas counterparts only get 6 more miles per gallon, because the electric motor only kicks in when it is idling. So do the math NYC is not going to saving the world 8 million gallons of gas in the first year. If you are getting your information from NYC mayor, Michael Bloomberg, well I hate to tell you he has an incentive to lie to you. Because stories like this make him look good. I hope that didn't burst your bubble, just a little reality check.

Here in BC they are talking about forcing the taxi fleets to go green. It is great in theory but as a taxi owner I say boo. We just spent 10,000 replacing our cab, we can't afford 40,000 on a hybrid vehicle. We run on propane as it is and it is cleaner running than gas. Hybrid vehicles switch over to gas at a certain speed as it is and gas is dirtier than propane so I don't get it. It is great in big cities but leave the small companies alone, especially the ones that have individual owners. What really annoys me is the buses are being left alone and they run on diesel! If you are going to lay a financial burden on private transportation attack the buses too!

Let's see if this really happens now. Sounds like a good plan, but somehow things have a way of getting screwed up!

good for them

kewl beans! what a great example they will be giving to other large cities. the savings in gas should certainly help to pay for the new fleet...then maybe also reflect a savings to the passenger. yay to NY!

That is very good news, especially for a city the size of New York! I hope that hybrid technology develops to the point that more people will be able to buy and drive hybrid cars also!

That is really awesome. Now if they could just figure out a way to make the hybrid cars really affordable so everyone could buy one! With the price of gas as high as it is right now people are probably walking more and letting their car sit in the garage. I wonder if the cabbies have raised their fares to cover the cost of gasoline.

wow to go new york that will help a whole lot.

In theory this sounds like a great idea, but I don't think it will do anything to reduce air pollution. There's just to many cars and trucks spitting out emissions in New York City. Not to mention all the buses. It may make a dent, but I wouldn't look for great results. Lloyd

Good for them, if more cities would follow their example it would save even more gasoline and reduce a lot more air polution.