If you’ve been to New York City lately and wondered why the Crown Vic cabs of old seem to be disappearing, replaced by a fleet of Toyota Highlanders and Priuses and even Lexus RX 400hs, the reason is simple: NYC doesn’t just want to pimp your ride, it wants you to ride green.

According to a recent article in The New York Times , “all of New York’s…taxis will have to get at least 30 miles a gallon…” by 2012. At present, just 7.8% of cabs meet that target, but a glance at the city’s streets confirms the fleet is changing quickly.

Incredibly, almost everyone is happy with the new law: drivers say gas costs about $25 less per day; the Taxi and Limousine Commission says the hybrids are performing better on inspections than non-hybrids; and passengers are happy they can ride green.

Talk to us! Tell us about the taxis in your favorite town!

Photo: k.kopach

Julie Schwietert

One of Matador's most prolific contributors, Julie Schwietert Collazo is a writer, editor, researcher, and translator who lives in New York and Mexico City.