1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Chicago's First Hybrid Taxi Debuts

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Angelus, Jun 22, 2007.

  1. Angelus

    Angelus New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2006
    20
    0
    0
    Well, we finally have our first hybrid taxi - and it's an Escape :eek:

    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...
     
    #1 Angelus, Jun 22, 2007
  2. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2004
    1,247
    124
    0
    Location:
    SW-Side of Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    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
     
    #2 FireEngineer, Jun 22, 2007
  3. bhaynnes

    bhaynnes Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    225
    2
    0
    Location:
    Belmont CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    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.
     
    #3 bhaynnes, Jun 22, 2007
  4. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2006
    1,213
    23
    0
    Location:
    Chatsworth, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    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.
     
    #4 subarutoo, Jun 22, 2007
  5. geeky teacher

    geeky teacher New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    393
    7
    0
    Location:
    West Suburban Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    The gas engine shuts off when the car is stopped.
     
    #5 geeky teacher, Jun 22, 2007
  6. JayGoldstein

    JayGoldstein Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2006
    120
    4
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    <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).
     
    #6 JayGoldstein, Jun 23, 2007
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    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.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Jun 23, 2007
  8. pewd

    pewd Clarinet Dude

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2007
    331
    1
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    #8 pewd, Jul 1, 2007
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)