New York City getting six electric car taxis next year

The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission has announced that starting in the spring, six Nissan Leaf electric cars will begin service as taxis in New York City.

Three fleet-operators will split up the Leafs, but the cars from each operator will share a single medallion. Because of this fact, there will only ever be three of the cars on the road at any time.

Chargers will be created in airport holding lots, garages around the city, and at the homes of other Leaf-owners. Leafs can go 60-130 miles per single charge.

The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission had this to say of the program: "This program is a real test with unknown results. We have worked to plan for the "what ifs," but there most likely will be bumps in the road. We want this program to be successful and hope that it will help lead to broader electric-vehicle applications in the taxi industry, but we will need your patience and assistance to get there."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Dec 2011 0:54

Arjun00

Isnt electric more expensive than gas? I understand you get more gas mileage with an electric car but dont you have to equate the cost of electricity into your calculation to get a CPM (cost per milage) in order to compare apples to apples from a cost perspective?

27.12.2011 08:59 #1

LordRuss

They may not be looking for cost per mileage but for the carbon footprint.

Taxi & limousine services are hit with huge emission bills & fines annually not to mention the mechanical bills to keep the vehicles on the road long enough to maintain such.

If keeping these type of the cars on the road longer while maintaining less violations or no infringements keeps those additional costs down; while not having to purchase new cars every 2 years, might return a savings back to the customers & also return revenue to the taxi services as well.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

27.12.2011 12:39 #2

Arjun00

Originally posted by LordRuss: They may not be looking for cost per mileage but for the carbon footprint.

Taxi & limousine services are hit with huge emission bills & fines annually not to mention the mechanical bills to keep the vehicles on the road long enough to maintain such.

If keeping these type of the cars on the road longer while maintaining less violations or no infringements keeps those additional costs down; while not having to purchase new cars every 2 years, might return a savings back to the customers & also return revenue to the taxi services as well.
you have a point there. However, wouldn't my point stand for the average customer that is cost driven? (People seem to think electric cars save money for themselves but I don't understand how it could be.)

27.12.2011 13:13 #3

A5J4DX

meh

27.12.2011 13:54 #4

Hopium

Originally posted by Arjun00: Originally posted by LordRuss: They may not be looking for cost per mileage but for the carbon footprint.

Taxi & limousine services are hit with huge emission bills & fines annually not to mention the mechanical bills to keep the vehicles on the road long enough to maintain such.

If keeping these type of the cars on the road longer while maintaining less violations or no infringements keeps those additional costs down; while not having to purchase new cars every 2 years, might return a savings back to the customers & also return revenue to the taxi services as well.
you have a point there. However, wouldn't my point stand for the average customer that is cost driven? (People seem to think electric cars save money for themselves but I don't understand how it could be.) its saves money buy meeting requirements for embracing "green" technology, they aren't doing this cause they think it can prevail, they are doing it cause it saves em some money somewhere on some tax law.

27.12.2011 14:18 #5

LordRuss

Originally posted by Arjun00: People seem to think electric cars save money for themselves but I don't understand how it could be. Well, their initial comment would be something that says they're in it for a consumer based "we'll help you all to see how much money you can save", but in the long run 'companies' want to make money.

Electric cars are going to be nothing if easier to repair because of their modular construction. Because they don't have too much hazardous liquid waste & air pollutants (more so on a daily basis) there will be some breaks from the EPA & city organizations that will make operation expenditures more bearable. More bearable will put more cars on the street, which will in turn make the car dealers produce more cars, more science into the making of said cars, thus better cars & the circle of electric car life takes on a whole new spectrum.

I.e., unless corporations take on the brunt of pushing the electric car research & development (frankly, because the consumer market can't afford it. It really isn't 'that' expensive, the battery & car manu. would like us all to think that it is) then car manufacturers feel they can't get the production own to an affordable level where people like the rest of middle America (in my case) can afford to buy my next vehicle & feel it is just as trustworthy & viable an option as a tried & true vehicle as a car having been made the last 100 years.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

27.12.2011 15:28 #6

KillerBug

New York City is one of the few places where an electric car is actually a better solution. 140 miles in the average city would mean the car could only do about 3 hours of work, not counting the driving to and from the charging station. In new york city, the AC and radio will probably use almost as much power as the motor; and while the range will probably drop to 90 miles or so; that is still a good 8 hours of driving.

Also, the Leaf actually is good for the environment. It doesn't have the kind of batteries that make the Prius more damaging to the earth than a Hummer...it has lithium ion just like in a cell phone or laptop. Granted, most environmentalists are too clueless to know the difference and will swear that the Prius is good for the earth...but for those who actually pay attention, this is still a good thing.

28.12.2011 04:33 #7

LordRuss

Originally posted by KillerBug: Granted, most environmentalists are too clueless to know the difference and will swear that the Prius is good for the earth...but for those who actually pay attention, this is still a good thing. And what KB said too...

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

28.12.2011 19:25 #8

Zoo_Look

6 electric cars to start service as taxis in New York...
For comparisons sake, does anyone know what percentage of NEW taxis this will represent. How about the total number of taxis already in service?

6 electric cars joining New York is like saying 'Small fire kills 3 people, population density decreases by 0.01 persons per square inch as a result.' Its hardly a cause for celebration frankly. It makes a mockery of the existing situation.

29.12.2011 22:58 #9

LordRuss

Originally posted by Zoo_Look: 6 electric cars joining New York is like saying 'Small fire kills 3 people, population density decreases by 0.01 persons per square inch as a result.' Its hardly a cause for celebration frankly. It makes a mockery of the existing situation. I know exactly what you mean. Like 3 drops in an Olympic swimming pool... My only additional input would be to theorize that they would have the taxis running in a limited area. Say 10 square blocks. Even that's an under educated guess, but one that would put the cars in a tighter, more scrutinized area of investigation to see how a more developed car would behave.

Again, this is pure speculation.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

30.12.2011 14:19 #10

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