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

9K views 47 replies 32 participants last post by  mbukukanyau 
#1 · (Edited)



Plan for Hybrid Taxi Fleet Moves Forward

Updated, 11:40 p.m. | 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.

While the plan for a hybrid fleet has drawn applause from environmentalists, it has left some drivers frustrated. Most individual owner-operators are unwilling to replace their vehicles before the five-year age limit. Some drivers have argued that they are stuck with traditional vehicles until the five years are up, and that in the meantime, the Taxi and Limousine Commission should impose a fuel surcharge on fares to compensate for record-high gasoline prices, which have lowered drivers’ salaries. So far the commission has declined to impose such a surcharge, noting that fares have already increased twice since 2004.


 
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#2 · (Edited)
Looks like most taxis will be Nissans until GM and Ford can get their production act together. It looks like GM will lose all taxi business by next fall. None of their hybrids returns 30MPG city.

Seeing as how the Toyota Sienna recently became a popular alternative, I wonder if Toyota will hybridize them sooner rather than later to keep the NYC Taxi sales. We've already heard reports about a 2mode Chrysler minivan coming out.
 
#11 ·
In many cities, most taxis are Prius' . Why not NY?
customers rejected it because of small passenger size, uncomfortable and there was an article about it. I'm too lazy to dig it out now but last time I went there on the 4th of july wkend, there were no prius there whatsoever. I saw a lot more last christmas break.
 
#16 ·
GM Will Supply 50 Malibu Hybrids A Month To NYC Taxi Fleet

Link: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/plan-for-hybrid-taxi-fleet-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.
 
#30 ·
Re: GM Will Supply 50 Malibu Hybrids A Month To NYC Taxi Fleet

... 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?:rolleyes:<sarcasm off>
 
#18 ·
Re: GM Will Supply 50 Malibu Hybrids A Month To NYC Taxi Fleet

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.
 
#23 ·
Re: GM Will Supply 50 Malibu Hybrids A Month To NYC Taxi Fleet

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?
 
#25 ·
Re: GM Will Supply 50 Malibu Hybrids A Month To NYC Taxi Fleet

I have already seen a few. They look better in taxi-cab-yellow then I would have thought.
 
#28 ·
Re: GM Will Supply 50 Malibu Hybrids A Month To NYC Taxi Fleet

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...
 
#38 ·
I think this can be a good thing, getting people to know how good the Malibu is. Not like it's being singled out or going into service as the lone, widespread vehicle (like the Crown Victoria did).
 
#47 ·
the volt would make a perfect taxi.
 
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