Fun Taxi Facts | Health | Economics/Incentives | Bringing Jobs to the USA

FUN FACTS

• How many taxis were dispatched from JFK airport last year?
  Answer: 2.78 million
• How many taxis were dispatched from LGA airport last year?
  Answer: 3.81 million

HEALTH FACTS

• NYC is the worst city for asthma with the highest asthma mortality rate;
• NYC is the 3rd worst city in air quality effects on children's health;
• NYC children are twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma as children in other areas of the USA. In fact, asthma is the leading cause for emergency room evaluations, pediatric evaluations and school absentees;
• NYC annually fails to meet the EPA health based air standards for fine particulate pollution with over 50% derived from vehicle emissions;
• Hybrid vehicles reduce emissions up to 90% of existing vehicles.

ECONOMICS/INCENTIVES

• In 2003, NYC amended Sec 19-52 requiring 9% of all new taxi licenses to be hybrid or CNG vehicles. However, taxi owners intending to invest their own money have not been allowed to put a hybrid taxi on NYC streets since the TLC has yet to give approval.
• Under federal and NY State law, taxi owners who purchase a hybrid vehicle are eligible for a $2000 income tax deduction, a $3000 sales tax rebate and potentially a $6000 incentive from NYSERDA for alternative fuel vehicles;
• Taxi owners would save money since the requirement to purchase a new taxi every three years would be extended to five for hybrids;
• NY Times reports that the average taxi driver in NYC would save nearly $3800 per year on fuel costs for a hybrid vehicle (@ gas $2 gallon);
• Most hybrids get nearly twice the gas mileage than the Ford Crown Victoria
• Since hybrid vehicles travel 500-600 miles on a tank of gas before refueling, NYC taxi drivers would save time and be able to take more passengers;
• Toyota just announced its plan to invest 10 million to manufacture hybrids in Kentucky with plans to make all hybrids in the future.

HYBRIDS BRING JOBS TO THE USA

• Nissan announces 7,000 jobs created in Tennessee to make hybrid Altima
• Toyota announces $10 million investment in Kentucky to make hybrid Camry
• Fed Ex announces 30,000 truck hybrid fleet to be made by Easton securing thousands of jobs in Cleveland, Ohio
• Ford announces building of 20,000 SUV hybrids