Monday, March 2, 2009

The Hybrid Civic Taxi-

This was like my holy grail or some other Indiana Jones analogy. I believe there is only one, one Honda Civic taxi out of more than 13,000 yellow cabs in New York City. For months I have been hoping to see it while at the same time having my camera ready. It has been very elusive until yesterday.

IMG_1645

In related news, Honda plans to sell the insight, a hybrid very similar, but smaller and cheaper than the Prius, by this spring. I'll keep tabs on weather the model will be approved as a yellow cab by the T&LC. The Toyota Prius, which is just gaining unstoppable momentum with a broad spectrum of buyers including more than a handful of taxi drivers, will also be re-designed by this spring. The new Insight won't break any records with Miles to the gallon ratings, but the new Prius will get 50 highway, and 49 city. And also this spring, Ford will sell a hybrid version of the Fusion. It will better the Toyota Camry in Mile to the gallon ratings. Being that Ford has been badge of choice by almost every cab company and driver alike, it is sure to be a hit. 

UPDATE: I wouldn't be surprised if there are now a few more Honda Civic hybrid taxis.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay this may sound like the stupidest question ever. My mom grew up in NYC, as well as my siblings, but I didn't. Every time I'm in the city, I think to myself... "where do people get gas?", but I don't ask because I don't want to be the idiot sibling who doesn't know about my family's city.

I never see gas stations! Are they there and am I just missing them... or are they in top secret locations and/or invisible?

NYC taxi photo said...

nah, I've had at least 3 groups of people ask me this before. The gas stations tend to be on the edges, near highway entrances and exits, but they are rare. in brooklyn and queens they also tend to be near car dealerships, and also by highway entrances. They are more likely not to be near business districts, but only by residential neighborhoods. oh and those prices! if it's a lone gas station near an expensive neighborhood, it is outrageously priced. I'm pretty sure you can google map new york, and search for gas stations in places of business. it's pretty clear i bet that there's only a handful of stations in Manhattan, but a lot more in the other boroughs.

Anonymous said...

And why one one? Is this some sort of taxi test car?

NYC taxi photo said...

well, I am not sure if it is approved as a taxi anymore. I think it is though. but the Prius has better mileage, more passenger room, and more trunk space i think, so it's just hands down better.

It may also be that the civic hybrid isn't approved to be a taxi anymore, so the one owner gets to keep it for 5 years, but nobody else cab buy one.

Anonymous said...

Saw it this weekend on Fulton Street at the corner of Cliff St (in front of McDonald's) downtown. It was a different serial number than 9t29, so maybe there are 2 now.

NYC taxi photo said...

yeah, lately i'm seeing one with a T, and one with an E i think, definitely 2 now. I also saw two different lexus cabs today

auto financing said...

I don't see Honda taxis anywhere in NY, but if they do, this would prove to be a milestone for hybrids.

electric motor rewinds said...

Currently, the city has a wide range of cabs. With the city's decision to ramp up its efforts to improve overall efficiency, the Nissan NV200 will become the exclusive taxi service in 2013.

car accident attorney los angeles said...
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