NYC Hybrid Taxi: Ford Escape Hybrid

NEW YORK CITY — The Ford Escape Hybrid taxi is no longer an uncommon site in this haven for the taxicab. The city now has 288 of the alt-fuel vehicles, Ford says. This fits nicely with Mayor Michael Bloomberg's announcement this week that the city is targeting an all-hybrid taxicab fleet by 2012.

The mayor said all vehicles used as taxicabs will have to meet stronger emissions and fuel-economy standards by next year. From the 375 hybrids on taxi duty right now, the number is to rise to 1,000 by October 2008.

Ford says both its Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid meet the new, more stringent standards. The automaker calls the Escape Hybrid Taxi "the most fuel-efficient SUV on Earth" with a city-driving fuel usage of 34 mpg for the front-wheel-drive model and a 500-mile cruising range.

© Source: insideline
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