Nissan Altima Hybrid as Taxis in New York City

Nissan Altima Hybrid
We've been covering the Nissan Altima hybrid for a while (see the links at the end of this post), and we've also been covering the slow greening of the New York taxi fleet for a long time. So it's good to see both topics converge.

And in this case, it makes perfect sense: the Nissan Altima hybrid is rated at 35 mpg (6.7 l/100 km) in the city, versus 12-15 mpg (15.6-19.6 l/100 km) for most current taxis. According to the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), halving the fuel costs could mean $5000 saved per year. That means that it would take about 1 year to pay back the extra cost of the hybrid drivetrain, and then a $5000 bonus each year after that (and more as oil gets more expensive). There's also savings on maintenance because regenerative braking reduces wear on brake pads.

Another benefit of the Nissan Altima hybrid is the AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) emissions, which are as low as we can currently go with a gasoline-powered car. If enough New York cabs had emissions this low, it would surely make a difference for air quality in the city.

Altima Hybrid Specifications
For those curious about the specs of the car:

• $25,795 base
• 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, 158 horsepower, 162 pound-feet of torque
• 40 horsepower electric assist motor, 199 pound-feet of torque
• EPA rating: 35 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway
• It is made in Tennessee

Far from perfect, but certainly better than the 19 mpg Ford Transit Connect Taxi concept...

::Nice Hybrid, if You Can Get It

See also: ::Nissan Debuts 2007 Altima Hybrid, ::Nissan Will Build Altima Hybrid in Tennessee, ::Hybrid Test Drive - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid, ::2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid: $24.4k Minus Tax Credit, ::Nissan Wants to Sell 50,000 Altima Hybrids a Year, ::10,000 "Black Car" Taxis to Go Hybrid in New York City

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