The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission’s (TLC) Board of Commissioners today voted to approve new vehicle specifications that would allow, for the first time, hybrid-electric vehicles to be used as medallion taxicabs. The vote followed a TLC staff presentation of a cost/benefit analysis of the six currently available hybrid-electric models, and a public hearing on the proposed specifications that included supportive testimony from a number of taxi industry leaders and prominent environmental organizations. The six hybrid-electric vehicles that are currently available, and would now comply with the TLC’s vehicle specifications, include the Ford Escape, the Toyota Highlander, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic hybrid, the Honda Accord hybrid, and the Lexus RX 400H.

“I believe the TLC made history today,” said TLC Commissioner/Chair Matthew W. Daus. “The fact that any medallion owner can now choose to replace their retiring taxicabs with cleaner and more economical hybrid-electric vehicles will both yield environmental benefits and save them money at the gas pump. These vehicles are made even more attractive by the fact that their purchasers would be eligible for significant potential State and Federal tax incentives that total, in some instances, more than $6,000.”

The cost/benefit overview presented at the meeting indicated a per-vehicle cost savings of as much as $5,000 for one particular hybrid model in estimated fuel costs over the course of a year. The analysis also favorably compared hybrid-electrics to the Ford Crown Victoria, which comprises the bulk of the City’s 12,760 medallion taxicabs, in terms of operating costs. These estimated annual expenses (including maintenance, insurance, loan payments, fuel, and MSRP) place the Crown Victoria at approximately $25,296.48, with Toyota and Honda models coming in, approximately, at between $18,000 and $19,000.

Another facet of the new vehicle specifications is that, because they are not tied to any one vehicle, they could encompass future hybrid-electric vehicle models, such as the planned Mercury Mariner. The new specifications and cost/benefit analysis are available for viewing on the TLC’s web site at www.nyc.gov/taxi (click on TLC News, and then Public Notices).