NYC Taxis to be all hybrids within 5 years: End of the Line for Crown Vic

[Buick61]

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The ubiquitous New York yellow cab is going green.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to announce on Tuesday that he will order the city's entire taxi fleet be converted to gas-electric hybrids by 2012, sources close to the mayor told CNN.

According to the sources, Bloomberg will instruct Matthew Daus, the commissioner of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, to begin a cycle of replacement that will see 20 percent replaced each year until all of the city's approximately 13,000 taxis are hybrids in 2012.

In the summer of 2005, the commission approved six models of hybrids for use on city streets. The vehicles include three SUVs -- the Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX 400H and Ford Escape -- and three four-door sedans -- the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord and Honda Civic.



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Of course this means that the Crown Victoria (unless it becomes a hybrid) will no longer be the cab-of-choice for NYC as it has been for the past 11 years. With such a huge loss of sales, I wonder how much longer the Crown Victoria and Panther platform have before they're no longer viable for the Ford Motor Company.

They aren't the icons that the Checkers were, but they've been so ubiquitous that this plan is going to drastically change groundscape of NYC's streets.

Time will tell if the "mild" GM hybrids qualify. Otherwise we may be seeing the dual-mode hybrid VUE, Tahoe, and Yukon with some shocking yellow paint in short order.

[spykebn]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Time will tell if the "mild" GM hybrids qualify. Otherwise we may be seeing the dual-mode hybrid VUE, Tahoe, and Yukon with some shocking yellow paint in short order.

the hybrid Tahoe and Yukon do not qualify. In 2008 all new taxis must get over 25 mpg, then in 2009 all new taxis must be hybrids and get over 30 mpg. The dual mode Tahoe and Yukon don't meet any of those mpg requirements.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by spykebn

the hybrid Tahoe and Yukon do not qualify. In 2008 all new taxis must get over 25 mpg, then in 2009 all new taxis must be hybrids and get over 30 mpg. The dual mode Tahoe and Yukon don't meet any of those mpg requirements.

Thanks for the info!

[GMFreak8]

Well guess that means I'll be walking all over instead of getting a cab. I refuse to be cramped in the back of a prius. Not to mention I think it's horrible that NYC taxi is supporting a Japanese company over an American company.

[montrealvue]

Expect higher prices for a cab ride in NY, Crown Vics were chosen due to lower overall maintenence costs and longevity/durability. I guess the question mark will be if the fuel savings will offset the higher cost of having so many models to maintain. I'll miss the soft bouncy ride of a Crown Vic doing 50 mph through Manhattan......lol

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by GMFreak8

Well guess that means I'll be walking all over instead of getting a cab. I refuse to be cramped in the back of a prius. Not to mention I think it's horrible that NYC taxi is supporting a Japanese company over an American company.

they are supporting ford, they're getting escape hybrids too. Regardless if every taxi in NYC was a prius, there would be a large fuel savings over the current crown vics. I think that's the most important aspect.

[FoMoCo Fan]

Prius is quite roomy in the back seat in terms of legroom.

[Ach]

Originally Posted by GMFreak8

Well guess that means I'll be walking all over instead of getting a cab. I refuse to be cramped in the back of a prius. Not to mention I think it's horrible that NYC taxi is supporting a Japanese company over an American company.

Many cab rides are just one or two people with no luggage, thus a full-size is not needed. The Prius and the Civic both have decent room in back, and the Accord probably has almost as much rear seat room as a Crown Vic. Having said that, it is disappointing that most cabs will now be Japanese. And why would they pay a premium for a Lexus over a Highlander?

[t-rex]

If Tokyos' taxis aren't required to get 30mpg, why are New York's?

Yet another example of how cerebral-free America has become...

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Ach

Many cab rides are just one or two people with no luggage, thus a full-size is not needed. The Prius and the Civic both have decent room in back, and the Accord probably has almost as much rear seat room as a Crown Vic. Having said that, it is disappointing that most cabs will now be Japanese. And why would they pay a premium for a Lexus over a Highlander?

I don't know, but I've seen the RX400h on the street. Maybe it was part of a city-financed trial.

[FoMoCo Fan]

If this actually makes Ford dump the ancient Panther for something more modern, that RETAIL customers might actually WANT TO BUY, and has the added bonus of saving gas, and thus giving less money to our enemines in regimes like Iran, I'm all for it. Make em all Priuses for that matter. At least Japan is our ally. Win win.

[1931Chevy]

Maybe a Taurus Hybrid can work here

[spaz]

i'm gonna miss the crown vic. nothings got a smoother ride. since 2003 the taxi package included a 6 inch wheelbase stretch which extended rear legroom by 6 inches. The v8 sounded nice too.

[rhvfd10]

Bloomberg. That man is nuts. Is there no institution or service that he can't try to get his hands on?

[jon21]

Yes....GM please bring the new Hybrid Malibu ASAP.