Zeno Swijtink
06-29-2008, 09:44 PM
Hybrid Taxis Create Huge Savings (https://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=72477494-174f-4794-9f67-99c2323b2814)
COLETTE DERWORIZ - Calgary Herald (Australia)
A pilot project on hybrid taxis in Alberta has concluded the vehicles -- including larger SUVs -- pay for themselves in fuel savings within 14 to 18 months.
The Hail a Hybrid program, which was run by Climate Change Central and paid for by the Alberta government, tracked five hybrid taxis in Calgary and Edmonton to determine the cost of operating the vehicles compared to a typical cab.
"It's good, it's really good," said cab driver John Tait, who participated in the program with his Ford Escape Hybrid. "It's not in my pocket every day. It saves you money on gas.
"It's better than getting a raise some days."
Tait, who has been driving cabs for 32 years, said driving the hybrid SUV has cut his gas bill by more than half -- to $25 on a busy day from about $60 a day when he drove a regular taxi.
According to the final report, all of the hybrid taxis that participated in the pilot project had higher fuel efficiency than the conventional Alberta taxi, the Ford Crown Victoria.
Overall fuel costs for hybrids -- based on driving the same distance -- were much lower and there were two to three times less greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the vehicle.
The Toyota Prius, operated by Mayfair Taxi, showed the greatest reduction in fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions, the report added.
"Hybrid vehicles cost more than your average vehicle but if you are a high-mileage driver, they make sense," said Fred Walter, program manager with Climate Change Central, which is a public-private partnership formed to help Albertans reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As an example, Walter said most taxi drivers buy a used Ford Crown Victoria for about $15,000, while a brand-new Prius is about $32,600.
"So you are looking at a huge incremental cost," he said. "But what we're saying is look at the operational cost on that vehicle.
"At $1.25 a litre (for gas). . . you'll pay off that cost in 14 months."
The higher the price of gas goes, he said, the more compelling the argument for buying a hybrid taxi becomes.
The average regular gasoline cost in Calgary on Thursday was $1.31 a litre.
Ald. Druh Farrell said council has asked its taxi and limousine advisory committee to look at ways to promote more energy-efficient vehicles.
"This will just help bolster the argument," she said, noting Calgary is lagging behind several other cities when it comes to hybrid taxis. "I've been pushing for this for a long time.
"Maybe this will be enough to convince the industry to convert."
The taxi industry has balked at hybrids because they cost more to purchase, they operate on gas if the heat or air conditioning is running or if the car travels faster than 40 km/h.
Some drivers have also suggested they take too long to order, have more expensive batteries and won't work as well in Calgary's weather.
The report debunks some of those concerns, suggesting there were no reported problems with maintenance and the cabs worked as efficiently during cold spells as in warmer weather.
Roger Richard, president of Associated Cabs, said he doesn't need any more convincing as to the merits of hybrids.
"We did quite a bit of testing on it," he said. "We have 12 (vehicles) now and, so far, all indications look very, very good for the taxi driver.
"The No. 1 expense for the driver is fuel, so when you are able to cut that in half, it doesn't take long to pay for the vehicle.
"It makes good economic sense," he said, noting he will have another 15 hybrid taxis on the road within two months.
COLETTE DERWORIZ - Calgary Herald (Australia)
A pilot project on hybrid taxis in Alberta has concluded the vehicles -- including larger SUVs -- pay for themselves in fuel savings within 14 to 18 months.
The Hail a Hybrid program, which was run by Climate Change Central and paid for by the Alberta government, tracked five hybrid taxis in Calgary and Edmonton to determine the cost of operating the vehicles compared to a typical cab.
"It's good, it's really good," said cab driver John Tait, who participated in the program with his Ford Escape Hybrid. "It's not in my pocket every day. It saves you money on gas.
"It's better than getting a raise some days."
Tait, who has been driving cabs for 32 years, said driving the hybrid SUV has cut his gas bill by more than half -- to $25 on a busy day from about $60 a day when he drove a regular taxi.
According to the final report, all of the hybrid taxis that participated in the pilot project had higher fuel efficiency than the conventional Alberta taxi, the Ford Crown Victoria.
Overall fuel costs for hybrids -- based on driving the same distance -- were much lower and there were two to three times less greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the vehicle.
The Toyota Prius, operated by Mayfair Taxi, showed the greatest reduction in fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions, the report added.
"Hybrid vehicles cost more than your average vehicle but if you are a high-mileage driver, they make sense," said Fred Walter, program manager with Climate Change Central, which is a public-private partnership formed to help Albertans reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As an example, Walter said most taxi drivers buy a used Ford Crown Victoria for about $15,000, while a brand-new Prius is about $32,600.
"So you are looking at a huge incremental cost," he said. "But what we're saying is look at the operational cost on that vehicle.
"At $1.25 a litre (for gas). . . you'll pay off that cost in 14 months."
The higher the price of gas goes, he said, the more compelling the argument for buying a hybrid taxi becomes.
The average regular gasoline cost in Calgary on Thursday was $1.31 a litre.
Ald. Druh Farrell said council has asked its taxi and limousine advisory committee to look at ways to promote more energy-efficient vehicles.
"This will just help bolster the argument," she said, noting Calgary is lagging behind several other cities when it comes to hybrid taxis. "I've been pushing for this for a long time.
"Maybe this will be enough to convince the industry to convert."
The taxi industry has balked at hybrids because they cost more to purchase, they operate on gas if the heat or air conditioning is running or if the car travels faster than 40 km/h.
Some drivers have also suggested they take too long to order, have more expensive batteries and won't work as well in Calgary's weather.
The report debunks some of those concerns, suggesting there were no reported problems with maintenance and the cabs worked as efficiently during cold spells as in warmer weather.
Roger Richard, president of Associated Cabs, said he doesn't need any more convincing as to the merits of hybrids.
"We did quite a bit of testing on it," he said. "We have 12 (vehicles) now and, so far, all indications look very, very good for the taxi driver.
"The No. 1 expense for the driver is fuel, so when you are able to cut that in half, it doesn't take long to pay for the vehicle.
"It makes good economic sense," he said, noting he will have another 15 hybrid taxis on the road within two months.