Hybrid Cabs Take A Licking... But Keep On Ticking

[lectrobyte]

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/04/20/004462.html

As the 30 San Francisco Escape Hybrid taxis are beginning to hit the 100,000-mile milestone, owners and drivers report:

Fuel savings between $20 and $31 over the traditional, full-size sedan cabs per 150- to 300-mile shifts. Air conditioning cost on hot days: $5 a shift, about half the sedan-version cost. Brakes are lasting twice as long. The reason: The electric engine acts as a second braking system, taking much of the load off the conventional friction brakes, says Tom Watson, Ford Hybrid Electric Vehicle Propulsion System engineering manager, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Programs. Several water pumps blew at the 50,000-mile mark, a situation that’s been rectified, say Watson and San Francisco cab company owners. No legroom complaints from customers, who seem delighted by the novelty of the hybrid and by doing the right thing for the planet.

[Gormy Cuss]

1. Brilliant marketing strategy.

For brakes to last twice as long in the outrageously hilly city of San Francisco is an outstanding result.

[kestrel91316]

2. I was very happy in Feb of this year to see several Prius cabs

at both the Las Vegas and Burbank airports.