New York Loses Out on Hybrid Taxi

After years of courtroom battles, NYC has lost out on their bid to force all taxis to go hybrid.   The Supreme Court has refused to hear their argument, letting the ruling from the lower court stand. 

Taxi owners argued the city was regulating fuel economy, something only the federal powers are allowed to do.  And although some states have created emissions and fuel standards, those have come by a waiver issued by the EPA.

Really, taxi owners simply don't want to pay extra to purchase the hybrid cars.  Taxi drivers love them because of the lower fuel costs and because customers have shown a preference for riding in them.

Still, a large percentage of NYC taxis have already gone hybrid.  And more are expected to, so the effort by the city has not been wasted.

New York City Loses Bid to Force Hybrid Taxi... Again

New York City has lost again in its battle to create a hybrid taxi fleet in New York City. Cab owners have been fighting the city for years, claiming the city was attempting to mandate fuel economy and emissions, which only the federal government can do.

Cab owners aren't really worried about federal lawgivers rights, however. They just don't want to spend more money on purchasing the vehicles. Cab drivers love driving hybrids, since they save so much money on gas over the Ford Victoria.

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected the city's appeal. The next step, if the city wishes to pursue it, would be the Supreme Court.