Well, we finally have our first hybrid taxi - and it's an Escape It's a step in the right direction, at least. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/06/20/052573.html A spanking new maroon Ford Escape Hybrid will make environmental history when it is formally unveiled as Chicago's first fleet based taxi at an outdoor birthday celebration...
Currently the City of Chicago only permits the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid and Prius as vehicles to be used as a taxi. In addition there will be a change to the license requirements to require license holders with a fleet of more than 50 cabs to have a hybrid in that fleet. So much for the self-proclaimed "greenest city". Wayne
Every time I see a line of taxis at an airport idling away, I think that prius would save a ton of gas. I don't know if the escape hybrid shuts off it's engine or not.
It says the lucky cabbie was "chosen" to drive it. Why can't any cabbie just get one and go? I don't get it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Angelus @ Jun 22 2007, 10:05 AM) [snapback]466357[/snapback]</div> There are more than 100 Prius taxis here in Winnipeg (pop. of 650,000). The two biggest cab companies also are switching to smaller non-hybrids (e.g., Camrys and Malibus) from the traditional full-sized car (e.g., the Ford Crown Victoria).
111 new taxi licences to be approved here in the Lower Mainland. 57 of them will go to new hybrids. The rest will be mobility vans.
