In the May 2013 issue of TLC Magazine, the NYC Taxi Limousine Commission reported that the all-electric Nissan LEAF taxicab project had been launched. The announcement outlined the project, its potential merits and how it was to be regulated. Following is a statement by Mayor Bloomberg outlining the overwhelming environmental benefits of electric taxicabs and the very significant economic benefits taxi operators would see in reduced fuel and maintenance costs. It will establish a blueprint for future taxicab vehicle development. —Editor

Mayor Bloomberg takes city’s first all-electric taxi. April 22, 2013

Photos: Spencer T Tucker

MAYOR BLOOMBERG, TLC, NISSAN LAUNCH ELECTRIC TAXICAB PILOT PROGRAM

MAYOR BLOOMBERG LAUNCHES ALL-ELECTRIC TAXICAB PILOT PROGRAM

• An all-electric NYC taxi fleet would potentially reduce CO2 emissions by
  nearly 90,000 tons annually.
  
  
• Calculated at current gas prices, fueling a taxicab costs up to $17,500 a year while powering taxis with electricity would be considerably less expensive.
  
  
• The Mayor has convened a task force to electrify one-third of the city's taxi fleet by 2020.

Last month, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky launched six all-electric Nissan LEAF taxicabs as part of a pilot program scheduled to last up to one year. They were joined by Ken Srebnik, Head of Corporate Planning for Environmental Initiatives at Nissan North America.

The Nissan donated vehicles will join the city’s fleet of 13,237 iconic medallion taxicabs to see how their charging dynamic will fit into the typical 24/7 day-to-day business model of the taxi industry, and help the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to determine how best to lay the foundation for a one-third electric taxi fleet by the year 2020.

Aside from the environmental benefit of electric taxicabs, taxi operators would see significantly reduced fuel and maintenance costs.

An all-electric NYC taxi fleet would potentially reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 90,000 tons annually. Calculated at current gas prices, fueling a taxicab costs up to $17,500 a year, while powering taxis with electricity would be considerably less expensive.

With no belts to wear out, and no combustion engine to require oil changes, routine maintenance costs would also be greatly reduced. To these combined ends, the Bloomberg Administration has convened a task force to electrify one-third of the city’s taxi fleet by 2020, a goal announced by Mayor Bloomberg during his February 14 State of the City address.

Partners on the Nissan LEAF project include the Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability, the NYC Department of Transportation, US Department of Energy, AeroVironment, Related Management, Seward Park Cooperative, Con Edison, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the New York Power Authority.

“Even though the Taxi of Tomorrow won’t be on the road for another six months, we’re already looking ahead to the taxi of the day after tomorrow,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Nissan’s proven track record with electric vehicles will put us ahead of the curve in helping us answer important questions about incorporating electric taxis into the fleet so that we can achieve the goal of a one-third electric taxi fleet by 2020.”

“Our next steps on the road to a more environmentally responsible and fuel efficient future for the taxi industry are crucial ones,” said Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky. “These all-electric LEAF taxicabs will help us determine the best way to seamlessly integrate electric vehicles into the taxi industry’s 24/7 business and operational models.”

Joe Castelli, vice president, Nissan Commercial Vehicles said: “As part of our commitment to zero emission vehicles for the mass market, Nissan is looking for ways to broaden the use of electric cars, including commercial applications like taxis. Following the selection of Nissan NV200 as New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow, our relationship with the city provides us the ultimate proving ground to conduct this LEAF taxi pilot to help optimize the use of electric vehicle technology for future applications.”

“Electric cars take advantage of our clean electric grid and emit at least 70% less CO2 than an average car,” said Sergej Mahnovski, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability. “Because taxis drive over 60,000 miles per year, meeting the mayor’s goal of 1/3 fleet electrification is the equivalent of taking 50,000 regulars cars off the road.

Through TLC’s leadership we are seeing if electric cars can make it in one of the toughest applications there is. This and other PlaNYC initiatives help New York City meet its goals of having the cleanest air quality of any major U.S. City and reducing its climate change emissions 30% by 2030.

"We believe that electric vehicles may be a viable option for the taxi business moving forward,” said Steve Rosenberg of Style Management, a key partner in the pilot. “We eagerly undertook this pilot program as an opportunity to understand how this breakthrough technology can improve the industry as a whole."

“The Seward Park Cooperative is proud to partner with the Bloomberg administration and the Taxi and Limousine Commission to be part of the ‘green vanguard’,” said Wei-Li Tjong, Esq., President Seward Park Housing Corporation. “We are excited about this opportunity to help establish New York City's first high speed zero emissions electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”

Owner/operators, fleet agents, and lease drivers, will experience the Nissan LEAFs in single shift increments. The vehicles will be charged at owners’ homes or fleet garages using standard chargers and at several locations with the city’s first fast chargers. Using a fast charger, a Nissan LEAF battery can go from empty to an 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes, which will be important for single shift taxi drivers for whom every minute counts.

The TLC was created in 1971, and is the agency responsible for the regulation and licensing of almost 200,000 yellow medallion taxicabs and for-hire vehicles, their drivers, and the businesses that operate and support their industries. It is recognized as the largest and most active taxi and limousine regulatory body in the United States.

To find out more about the TLC, or to review its rules, regulations, and procedures, we encourage you to visit our official Web site at www.nyc.gov/taxi or to call 311 in New York City, or 212-NEW-YORK from outside of New York City.

Or Contact:
Nissan NA – Steve Oldham – 973-795-1215
(steven.oldham@nissan-usa.com)

© 2013 TLC Magazine Online, Inc.