Malibu heading into NYC Taxi Service as Plan for Hybrid Taxi Fleet Moves Forward

[Perian]

Link: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...moves-forward/

Plan for Hybrid Taxi Fleet Moves Forward

By Sewell Chan


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s plan to convert New York City’s entire fleet of yellow taxicabs into one that entirely comprises vehicles that run on a hybrid of electricity and gasoline took a step forward Wednesday, when his administration announced an agreement among three major automobile manufacturers to produce at least 300 of the hybrid vehicles a month for use as cabs — more than the 210 per month that the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission had estimated was needed to meet legal deadlines.

The plan for an all-hybrid was announced last May, and in December, the commission unanimously approved new regulations that will require all new taxicabs, starting in October, to achieve a fuel-efficiency rating of 25 miles per gallon in the city. By October 2009, the requirement will be raised further, to 30 miles per gallon. The regulations are intended to ensure that by 2012 the entire taxi fleet will consist of hybrid vehicles or other “clean vehicles” that are far more energy efficient than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines.

Under the deal announced today, Nissan North America will produce 200 Nissan Altima hybrids per month, General Motors will produce 50 Chevrolet Malibu hybrids per month, and the Ford Motor Company will produce of 50 Ford Escape hybrids per month — all for exclusive use as New York City taxicabs.

“While there are already hybrid vehicles available on the retail market, we want to ensure there is more than enough supply to meet the demand for hybrid taxis created by our new PlaNYC mileage rules,” said the mayor, referring to his plan to improve the city’s environmental standards by 2030.

The commission’s chairman, Matthew W. Daus, said there were already 1,300 hybrid taxicabs in use. They save drivers an average of around $6,500 a year and have better rates of passing inspections, Mr. Daus said.

[windvale]

Has GM even made 50 hybrid Malibu's yet ? I'm thinking the Malibu hybrid is pretty much vaporware at this point...

[wescoent]

Frankly, there could be no better use for a hybrid than as a taxi.

Taxis spend almost all their time idling or in stop and go traffic, which is the way you get the best mileage from a hybrid. The engine is off almost all the time, and the jerky motion of driving and braking generates power from the brakes.

Crown Victorias are cheap, and super-durable, but other than that, they couldn't be worse. They're VERY space-inefficient for their footprint, have a giant 4.6L V8 that spends all day chugging fuel while the taxi sits, and pollutes an already crowded city.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by windvale

Has GM even made 50 hybrid Malibu's yet ? I'm thinking the Malibu hybrid is pretty much vaporware at this point...

I've seen them on the road here in NJ... quite a few, actually.

[Beau]

Let me guess these are those BAS "HYBRIDS" that are good for an OH so relavant 26 mpg... Lol. At least they won't be burning much fuel idling.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by Beau

Let me guess these are those BAS "HYBRIDS" that are good for an OH so relavant 26 mpg... Lol. At least they won't be burning much fuel idling.

Well how much does a Crown taxi actually average in NYC ? 8?

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Oh Virginia might be a different situation altogether.

including the fact that fairfax cty police uses BMWs in their fleet.

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by wescoent

Frankly, there could be no better use for a hybrid than as a taxi.

Taxis spend almost all their time idling or in stop and go traffic, which is the way you get the best mileage from a hybrid. The engine is off almost all the time, and the jerky motion of driving and braking generates power from the brakes.

Crown Victorias are cheap, and super-durable, but other than that, they couldn't be worse. They're VERY space-inefficient for their footprint, have a giant 4.6L V8 that spends all day chugging fuel while the taxi sits, and pollutes an already crowded city.

Or how about the US post office changing their mail delivery trucks/jeeps (the ones that drive from house to house in the suburbs or in rural areas) to some kind of hybrid?

[Hitman1970]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Oh Virginia might be a different situation altogether.

Sorry, if my geography knowledge sucks for that area. I also traveled between Andrews Air Force Base (golf on weekends) and the hotel. I did not see nearly as many hybrids by the Air Base. I actually saw a surprising number of Pontiacs and Chrysler products (non-rental I mean).

[johnny smallblock]

I have already seen a few. They look better in taxi-cab-yellow then I would have thought.

[dratnol]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

Or how about the US post office changing their mail delivery trucks/jeeps (the ones that drive from house to house in the suburbs or in rural areas) to some kind of hybrid?

Most rural mail routes do not have Post Office provided vehicles, they are the mailman's personal car.

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by dratnol

Most rural mail routes do not have Post Office provided vehicles, they are the mailman's personal car.

well, if not rural then suburban. I know there are a LOT of people in suburbs or near rural areas that have those little post office jeeps/trucks driving around.

[377Z]

Gee, thats great. So the NYC taxi fleet is Big Bird, and the Malibu hybrid is Snufulupugus. Meanwhile, I've never seen one at my local dealer...

[caddycruiser]

Originally Posted by windvale

Has GM even made 50 hybrid Malibu's yet ? I'm thinking the Malibu hybrid is pretty much vaporware at this point...

All over, actually. My dealer that was nada on Malibus for a long time there has 3 Hybrids right now.

They were non-existent then all of a sudden production started and poof, everyone had at least one.

[blkwrxsti]

Originally Posted by Perian

... Nissan North America will produce 200 Nissan Altima hybrids per month, General Motors will produce 50 Chevrolet Malibu hybrids per month, and the Ford Motor Company will produce of 50 Ford Escape hybrids per month — all for exclusive use as New York City taxicabs.

The greenies in CA aren't going to like this move by the weenies in NY = What if all large municipalities started putting together agreements like this? What's the rest of the public supposed to buy?

I mean, stuff like this just helps with "climate change" what are we supposed to do to show our neighbors we're better than they are? How's that going to look if we all have to park a Yaris outside of our 5000 sq ft mini-mansions, because we can't actually buy a real hybrid with a leaf sticker?<sarcasm off>