Nissan Altima hybrids have joined the New York City taxi fleet
I was in Manhattan for a couple of days this week on a press event and noticed a new addition to the local cab fleet. For years now, the classic Crown Vics have been getting supplemented by Toyota Siennas, Ford Escape hybrids and the odd Prius. While cabbies love the mileage they get with the Prius and Escape, the passengers aren't always so thrilled with the volume available in the back seat. This is where the Nissan Altima hybrid comes in. The Altima has a roomier back seat than the other two hybrids, making it more suitable to the task. Unfortunately, that battery sucks up about a third of the trunk volume, making the Altima less suitable if your destination is one of the New York area airports. When we had an Altima Hybrid in the ABG Garage last year it managed 32.4mpg, which is quite respectable. Plus, it's probably the most attractive yellow car prowling the streets of Gotham right now.
[Source: TreeHugger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Serge 11:13AM (7/17/2008)
Camry Hybrid Taxi is pretty sharp too:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiwah/2409242828/
As far as complaints go, TLC should allow drivers of gas-guzzling models of taxis to charge an extra few bucks per ride, for which they are now pushing. We'd see how many complaints will be heard then.
Escape Hybrid has more than plenty of interior space for average-sized people, even rather tall ones.
Crown Vics will start to retire come October.
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Mili 6:56AM (7/18/2008)
While 32.4 mpg is not astonishing, it is an improvement, but in taxi mode, i expect the ALTIMA to do less mpg. Anyway this is the preferable direction.
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who_the 4:59PM (7/18/2008)
Great idea on paper. But sorry, an electric-only taxicab in major metro areas is a non-starter.
Think about it: How do you charge a vehicle that's on the road 22-24 hours a day?
The economics of the taxi business can't accommodate a vehicle that needs hours and hours to charge, especially one that will undoubtedly cost a great deal more than even a hybrid.
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