From the Chicago Dispatcher, October 2007

Hybrid Taxis Trickle Into Chicago
Fuel economy is the main attraction as gasoline/electric vehicles ease into Chicago-area taxi service

By: James M. Flammang

Hybrid automobiles have enjoyed a lot of publicity in the past few years. Operating with a combination of gasoline and battery power, hybrid vehicles also have been edging into the taxi business - though at a slow pace.

Inside as well as outside of the taxi business, not everyone is fully aware of these hybrid-powertrain vehicles and how they work. For owners who worry about fuel prices, hybrids are at least a partial solution - one that's available right now.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg surprised many in both the auto industry and the cab business when he announced, in May 2007, that his city will mandate the use of 12,000 hybrid-powertrain vehicles in the taxi fleet by 2012. Part of a multi-point PlaNYC program, the hybrid-taxi requirement will be phased in over a four-year period.

New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission predicts that drivers can save as much as $10,000 per year in fuel costs by switching from the popular Ford Crown Victoria sedans, which get only 14 miles per gallon, to Ford's Escape Hybrids. After October 2008, vehicles added to the New York fleet will have to achieve 25 miles per gallon. After October 2009, they must earn a 30-mpg city fuel-economy estimate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

At the time of Bloomberg's announcement, New York City had 375 hybrid taxis. By mid-summer, more than 500 were in service, according to spokesman Allan Fromberg. At least 288 of them were Ford Escape Hybrids - a gasoline/electric version of the company's compact sport-utility vehicle. By October 2008, New York City expects to have a thousand yellow hybrid taxis. A year later, the total is to be 4,000.

More than 40 hybrid taxis currently are operating in San Francisco, since the first one hit the street in late 2004. Austin, Texas has several in operation. During the past couple of years, Toyota Prius hybrids have been placed into taxi service in various American and Canadian cities, including Vancouver, British Columbia. Only New York, however, has hybrids in substantial numbers, with the promise of many more to come.

Chicago taxi owners are gradually taking an interest in hybrid models, prompted in part by the city's new regulation that compels larger fleets to place at least a few gasoline/electric vehicles into service.

Why go the hybrid route? Fuel economy is the number one reason. Gas mileage for hybrid-powertrain vehicles isn't quite as startling as it appeared, when Toyota earned an estimate from the EPA of 60 miles per gallon in city driving. Real-world Prius drivers seldom achieved fuel-economy figures anywhere near that level.

For 2008 models, the EPA has revised its procedure for gas-mileage estimates, so all vehicles, especially hybrids, get lower predicted figures for both city and highway driving. As a result, the EPA estimates should be a lot closer to what actual drivers might expect.

Toyota's 2008 Prius, for instance, is expected to get a 48-mpg city estimate and 45 mpg for highway trips, in contrast to the prior 60/51-mpg figures. With two-wheel drive, Ford's 2008 Escape Hybrid now earns a 34-mpg city/30-mpg highway EPA estimate, versus 41/32 mpg for the 2007 model. As a comparison, the 2008 Escape with a conventional four-cylinder gasoline engine gets an EPA estimate of 20/26 mpg.

New EPA estimates assume that vehicles are driven 55 percent of the time in the city. Naturally, then, fuel economy for taxi use is certain to be different than the figures suggest.

Hybrid-vehicle buyers have earned tax credits from the federal government, but those are being phased out. Toyotas, for example, soon will cease to qualify, because so many of the company's hybrid models have already been sold. For 2008, however, Ford's Escape Hybrid can get a tax credit of up to $3,000. Other hybrid models come with lower credits.

Norma Reyes, Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Consumer Services, looks favorably upon hybrids. "I think it's really important to have alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles," Reyes said, to give owners and drivers a choice. "We promulgated a rule requiring hybrids," which took effect this summer.

"We've approved some vehicles that are currently being manufactured," Reyes added, including the Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and Honda Accord Hybrid. One of those choices won't be around for long, as Honda has stopped producing its hybrid-powertrain Accord sedan.

Reyes admits that "the hybrid cars tend to be smaller," so the mandated safety shield could become an obstacle. "It takes up space, for the driver and for the passenger." Therefore, the city introduced the concept of cameras as an alternative. Cabs may have either a rear-facing camera or the conventional shield.

Owners and taxi companies tend to "look at a hybrid as a cost," Reyes said, rather than a benefit.

Fleets prefer vehicles to be alike, because "they want interchangeable parts." Some don't have all the information they need "to convince them" of the hybrid's value.

Chicago has "made it a mandate," Reyes said. Fleets of 50 cabs or more must have at least one hybrid. This year, 12 hybrids will be in service on Chicago streets, plus those that are voluntarily brought into taxi use. "Once they're using a hybrid and see that other vehicles cost more to the owner, driver and consumer," Reyes believes hybrids will catch on more fully.

Reyes advises that it's "important not to limit to hybrids," but to consider everything in alternative-fuel vehicles. "Technology is changing every day," she adds. Recently, for instance, Reyes looked at an electric car that's used as a taxi in Asia.

Chicago has no specific requirements for hybrids. They're judged by the same standards that other vehicles must meet to be approved for taxi use.

Not every Chicago-area owner is enthused about hybrids - at least initially. Some are adding them to fleets strictly because of the new regulation, rather than for the vehicle's merits.

"I had to get a hybrid," said Adrian Tudor, a member of Globe Taxi Association, because of the city regulation. "It wasn't my choice." When interviewed early in August, Tudor's Ford Escape Hybrid was a week old and had not yet taken on a passenger, as it was at the dealership for initial servicing.

Whether he will choose to buy another hybrid "all depends on how the car performs on the street," Tudor explained. If the first one proves to be satisfactory, he said he might consider another in six months or so.

Later in the month, Tudor was more pleased with that first hybrid, calling it "pretty good." One driver has been using the Escape Hybrid, and "he likes it." Cost is an issue, though. "For us," Tudor explained, "it's expensive. But for the driver it's very cheap" to operate.

"So far, it's doing very good," said Shoib Hasan, president of Globe Taxi Association. Two drivers who've been using the Escape Hybrid "both like it."

Still, Hasan considers the Escape Hybrid to be "very small" for a taxi. What makes the difference is use of a rear-facing camera within the cab, rather than the customary shield.

"If you put a shield in there, it would be impossible," Hasan said.

Hasan believes customers don't really pay attention to whether a cab is a hybrid. "You really don't care what you're riding in," he suggested.

In Hasan's view, hybrids may be better choices for individual medallion holders than for larger fleets, because of their gas-saving benefit. For fleets, "everything has to be cost-effective." At the dealership, hybrid vehicles do cost more.

Hybrids Suitable for Taxi Use
Though a dozen hybrids are currently on the market, only a handful are appropriate for taxi service. The top two come from Ford Motor Company and Toyota.

Ford Escape Hybrid: Ford gets most of the attention when the talk turns to hybrid taxis, partly because the company has been promoting its hybrid-powertrain Escape quite heavily - for taxi use as well as for ordinary driving. Ford claims that Escape Hybrid "cabs have logged hundreds of thousands of working miles with no major issues." Fuel economy is said to be 80 percent better in city driving than that of an Escape with a regular V-6 gasoline engine.

Ford calls its Escape Hybrid the "most fuel-efficient SUV in the world," claiming that in 100,000 miles of taxi use, it can save 1,666 gallons of gasoline. That could mean a saving of more than $6,000 for the driver.

Introduced for 2005, the Escape Hybrid has been redesigned somewhat for the 2008 model year, gaining a fresh appearance that resembles the much larger Ford Explorer and Expedition. Ford claims the powertrain has been revised for even greater transparency, so the transition between gasoline and electric operation is "virtually imperceptible." Brakes have been retuned for better "feel." Braking has been an issue with some early hybrids, whose brakes seemed to grab somewhat harshly as the vehicle slowed down.

As in other hybrids, Ford's system automatically switches between electric power, the 133-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine, or a combination of both power sources. An Escape Hybrid can run on its battery alone for a short distance, at up to 25 mph, provided the driver uses a gentle throttle foot.

Ford includes an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid components, including the battery pack, which is sealed at the rear load floor.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid: Similar to the Escape in size, structure and details, the Mariner is a bit more upscale, with a correspondingly higher price tag. For that reason, not so many are likely to wind up in taxi service, where the extra amenities may not really be needed.

Toyota Prius: Ever since Toyota launched its first-generation Prius as a 2000 model, the company has stood (along with Honda) in the forefront of hybrid technology. In its second-generation form, introduced for 2004, the Prius has found its way into scattered taxi service in various American and Canadian cities.

Fuel economy is the primary motivation. Originally, the EPA estimated the 2004 Prius's gas mileage at 60 mpg city/51 mpg highway. That 60-mpg figure for city work doubtless attracted notice from a lot of taxi owners, though only a comparative few have actually taken steps to buy a Prius for that purpose.

Though the original Prius was considered a compact, the current model ranks as a midsize sedan in terms of interior space. Thus far, at least, Toyota has not been especially active in promoting the Prius for taxi applications.

Honda's Accord Hybrid might also qualify for this group, but the manufacturer decided to halt production of its gasoline/electric midsize sedan in mid-2007. A Honda Civic Hybrid sedan remains on sale, but it's a compact rather than a midsize model, therefore not as suitable for taxi service.

Secondary Hybrid Models
Several additional models might be found in taxi service here and there, but the companies aren't promoting them for that purpose.

Nissan Altima Hybrid: Launched during the 2007 model year, the hybrid-powertrain offshoot of Nissan's midsize sedan hasn't drawn a lot of attention. Operation is similar to that of Toyota's hybrids, but Nissan admitted during the car's introduction that its version of the gasoline/electric powertrain isn't quite as refined. For 2008, the Altima Hybrid gets an EPA estimate of 35 mpg city/ 32 mpg highway.

Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid: New for 2007, Saturn's midsize sedan got a hybrid-powertrain option later in the model year. Roomy inside, the Aura uses a four-cylinder gasoline engine along with the electric motor. By 2008 EPA standards, the Aura Hybrid gets a fuel-economy estimate of 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. A few Aura Hybrids have been placed into government fleets.

The Saturn Vue sport-utility vehicle, redesigned for 2008 and ready for sale this fall, also will be available with a Green Line gasoline/electric powertrain.

Toyota Camry Hybrid: Prius isn't the only gasoline/electric sedan offered by Toyota. Introduced for 2007, the Camry Hybrid is larger inside and out: a conventional midsize four-door model. Fuel economy is an estimated 33 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA - not as frugal as the Prius.

Toyota Highlander: Larger than Ford's Escape, the Toyota Highlander sport-utility vehicle can be equipped with a hybrid powertrain similar to the one used in the Prius. Redesigned for 2008, the Highlander now comes only with a 270-horsepower V-6 engine and four-wheel drive, which reduces its appeal for taxi use.

Most of the other hybrids on the market are far too expensive for likely taxi use, including three Lexus models.

Here's How Hybrids Work
Every hybrid-powertrain automobile or SUV on the market contains both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. A few four-wheel-drive models use two electric motors. A battery pack is mounted somewhere below floor level at or near the rear of the vehicle.

Because the power from the gasoline engine is joined by that of the electric motor, the gas engine can be smaller than usual, with reduced horsepower output. Total power output is calculated by combining the energy provided by both sources: gasoline and electricity.

In current hybrids, electric power is dominant. The gasoline engine provides auxiliary power. For that reason, many hybrid vehicles are capable of running for a short distance on battery power alone. If you're really gentle on the gas pedal, the gasoline engine doesn't start until the vehicle reaches 20 to 25 miles per hour. Push harder, though, and the gas engine kicks in right away.

Computerized control makes the transition between gasoline and electric power almost seamless, noticeable only if you pay close attention. Most hybrid vehicles use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which contains no gears, rather than a conventional automatic.

Auto-stop is the feature that gives most hybrids better gas mileage in city driving. As you approach a stop, or actually come to a halt, the gas engine shuts off. Touch the gas pedal, and it starts up again instantly, with just a tiny shudder. In some models, you can hardly tell when the gasoline engine has started.

Regenerative braking also helps boost fuel economy. As the vehicle slows down and brakes are applied, energy derived from the braking process, which would ordinary be wasted, is instead sent back to the battery, to help keep it charged.

Hybrids aren't the only alternative-fuel vehicles in taxi use. A few propane conversions are running under taxi hoods. E85 (a blend of gasoline and ethanol) can be used in various vehicles.

Ford's John Felice, Director of North American Fleet, Lease & Remarketing Operations, advised that the familiar Crown Victoria is now E85-capable. Because engines operating on E85 actually consume more fuel than when using gasoline alone, there's little if any cost benefit. E85 is promoted more for its reduced emissions than as a fuel-economy measure.