City of Chicago buys 300 Toyota Hybrids
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
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Sounds good. NYC has a bunch of RXh and FEHs.
In my city, nearly all the yellow cabs are Priuses or Camry Hybrids. It's actually rare to see a Crown Vic or a Malibu or a Lumina (wow that's old). Other taxi companies here have followed suit with Priuses. If it's not a hybrid, it's a Corolla (CE, S and LEs) or a Camry (LE and LE V6s). There's one Jetta and one Altima.
So ya, our city is doing pretty well. And don't think it's all corporate stuff because around here, the taxi driver buys the vehicle, not the company. So the hybrids are usually shared btwn 2-3 drivers that take turns driving it. You own the taxi you drive.
That seems to be a good motivator since they have to pay for their own fuel (I believe maintenance is done on the company's charge).
In my city, nearly all the yellow cabs are Priuses or Camry Hybrids. It's actually rare to see a Crown Vic or a Malibu or a Lumina (wow that's old). Other taxi companies here have followed suit with Priuses. If it's not a hybrid, it's a Corolla (CE, S and LEs) or a Camry (LE and LE V6s). There's one Jetta and one Altima.
So ya, our city is doing pretty well. And don't think it's all corporate stuff because around here, the taxi driver buys the vehicle, not the company. So the hybrids are usually shared btwn 2-3 drivers that take turns driving it. You own the taxi you drive.
That seems to be a good motivator since they have to pay for their own fuel (I believe maintenance is done on the company's charge).
Its cost over time include the cost of the vehicle, its cost in gas/consumables over time, and its maintenance. The Prius most likely came out much cheaper. Its a simple exercise for a sophmore level finance class.
Too bad they're choosing electric technology instead of hydraulic. Truck manufacturers are looking at hydraulic systems to store the energy much the same as the battery powered systems with a lot less complex control systems and much lighter implementations. All the benefits, none of the negatives - except the accumulator is an energy source and just like the battery, presents it's own safety concerns. Still, it's a far better solution for garbage trucks, city buses, and other heavy short trip delivery vehicles making frequent stops.
Sadly, Popular Science had articles about hybrids (both hydraulic and electric) in the 70's, but no one figured they were worth the effort then.
Sadly, Popular Science had articles about hybrids (both hydraulic and electric) in the 70's, but no one figured they were worth the effort then.
IIRC, Hydraulics do have some negatives. Their maintenance costs are much much higher and weight/spacial constraints is an issue with them as well. I remember a professor dicussing them with another.
Last edited by Bean; Sep 13, 2007 at 06:11 PM.
Sounds like they're ignoring the fact some of these vehicles already have hydraulic systems, and it's just an extension of an existing technology. It's also ignoring the earthmoving industry's "hydrostatic" drive systems for heavy equipment. While it's true the largest dump trucks use electromotive systems just like trains do; they also make no attempt to store any of the energy they could recover because the economics don't support it. This may also be true with garbage trucks and the like, but only time will tell.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,323
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
No offense, but why is it that you don't buy an american car (at least from your sig it looks like you only have japanese)? I'm not trying to be smart with you, I'm just trying to point out that they probably had their own reasons (cost, efficiency, reliability, operating cost, etc.) just like you and me have for choosing a japanese product over domestic. If I lived in Chicago, I'd want my tax dollars to go as far as possible.
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