With the weird and slightly apocalyptic weather and flooding recently (DC is like 70 right now), I have some disjointed thoughts about conversations that look place after that bridge in Minneapolis collapsed.  Here's why:   Read More »

The other day, I went to the city to get my Burritoville fix. As I was walking along 2nd Avenue, I noticed something; in the wake of rising gas prices, why the hell are the cab companies STILL using the blocky leviathan Ford Crown Victoria.

The Ford CV is ranked at a very paltry 17 city/25 highway. However, since EPA estimates are not reliable, these cabs tend to get about 10 mpg. Here's the solution, USE THE TOYOTA PRIUS!!!!

The Prius utilizes Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, in which a gas engine assists an electric motor and battery system in cruising and accelerating, and the electric motor acts alone in coasting and low speeds, the battery is charged via a combination of the kinetic energy of the turning of the wheels, braking, and maybe even a little bit of the gas engine. The result, a car that actually gets better mileage on the highway then the city.

One of the major arguments for using the Crown Vic as a city taxi cab is that it is large, roomy, and can handle the constant acceleration, deceleration, and strain that is part of taxi driving. However, the Prius has almost as much legroom, headroom, and interior space as the Crown Vic, has only a one second gap in 0-60, and the Prius has 335 ft-lbs of torque compared to the Crown Vic's 275.

Not only would the cabs be able to go further on a tank of gas, but it would also cut down emissions, an important issue in a very population dense area, and would actually cost the companies less in initial investment as well as maintenance (the Prius actually costs LESS than the Crown Victoria).

But why not stop there!!!! Several jurisdictions in Florida and Ontario are actually using the Prius for POLICE USE. The Toyota Prius would be perfect as a regular patrol vehicle for the NYPD, since speeds are much lower and a big engine is not necessary to simply patrol town. Its also much safer too, with snow on the ground, the rear-wheel drivetrain of the FCV lends itself to skids, something the driver couldn't afford in an area with a lot of foot and car traffic. With front-wheel drive, the cabbies and police would be much safer!!!!!!

So, I believe it is time for our cities and towns to switch their fleets to hybrids whenever it is possible and pick the right car for the job, because not only does it cut down on emissions and resource use, it also can save the taxpayers money.