The NYC TLC - Taxi Limousine Commission (TLC) - revised their new ruling for the change-over to alternate fuel vehicles... They changed the date to 30 September 2008!!!! The new rules state (within about 50 pages)... Bad part of it is that a medallion (the badge on the top of the hood - TLC license) fee will now be $300,000 / car, but the good news is ... ... ..."Below is a list of the only approved vehicles that may be hacked up as medallion taxicabs AFTER September 30, 2008, the effective date of the TLC’s new rules requiring that vehicles achieve a minimum of 25 mpg (city):
2008-Lexus RX400h-26mpg city
2008-09-Toyota Camry Hybrid-33 mpg city
2008-09-Toyota Prius-48 mpg city
2008-09-Toyota Highlander Hybrid-(4WD)-27 mpg City
2008-09-Saturn Vue Greenline-25 mpg
2008-09-Nissan Altima Hybrid-35mpg city
2008-09-Ford Escape Hybrid-2wd-34mpg city
2008-09-Mercury Mariner Hybrid-awd-29mpg"
That is great. After 30 September 2008, no-one can put a cab into service without it being a hybrid. WITH EXCEPTION for wheelchair access. The old gas-guzzlers will disappear. Many cabbies pushed the TLC to move-up the date so that they can use these new options - since many are independent owner-operators they've been feeling the pinch of the gas prices.
Other good news is that many hybrids will begin to be seen for dirt-cheap money in the next few years with 500,000+ miles on them...
Here are some photos of the only approved cars:
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