Cabs going green
NSW Government allows hybrids to be used as taxis.
It seems the NSW government has given the green light for the hybrid Toyota Prius to be used as a regular part of the taxi fleet following a successful trial period.
Greener taxis for Perth streets
A similar trial has just got underway here in Perth. The trial will last for 12months with operators receiving a $15,000 grant and a 20% reduction in lease fees for up to 10 full time taxis.
Full details and tech specs on the Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius cabs, the new favorite cab
This site has links to cab company’s across the USA and the world all using the Toyota Prius complete with photos of Prius cabs from all around the world.
Update: Check out the post I wrote back in July about a Toyota Prius in canada. It just passed 400,000km and will be shipped to Toyota in Japan to be stripped down for research.
December 6, 2007 at 11:26
They’re starting to some hybrid taxis in the DC suburbs. No discount for the drivers, though.
I can’t help but feel that hybrids are nothing but a product of great marketing by the car companies. First, they’re more expensive than otherwise comparable cars. Second, those batteries don’t last forever. When it comes time to replace them, they cost in excess of $5,000. Third, if the car is involved in a serious accident and the battery is ruptured, it becomes a hazmat situation. Fourth, it takes energy to manufacture those batteries. And when they outlive their usefulness, they can’t merely be thrown away. They have to be recycled.Both the manufacturing process and the recycling take energy. Is that energy offset by the fuel savings from the batteries? No one’s really answered that.
December 7, 2007 at 12:00
Good points you make there Lugosi.
To answer your first point. Even if the initial cost is higher for a business user such as the taxi industry it would be offset by the reduced fuel cost over the life of the vehicle. 8yrs here in Perth for full time taxis.
I’ve seen taxis with 1.6million kays on them after 8yrs. There has to be significant savings over regular vehicles.