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Today, most NYC taxicabs are Ford Crown Victoria sedans. When you think of a taxi today, this is probably the car that comes to mind - a big, four-door sedan. But there are also a lot of Ford Escape hybrid taxis, and several other models are approved for taxi use as well. CLICK ON EACH VEHICLE TO SEE ITS "VITAL STATISTICS" |
NYC taxis are owned by private companies and individuals, not by the City government. But the Taxi and Limousine Commission requires taxicab owners to select from a list of approved models. For more than a decade, the dominant vehicle in the City's taxi fleet was the gasoline-powered Ford Stretch Crown Victoria. Beginning in October 2005, however, the TLC created a framework by which it allowed the inclusion of a variety of hybrid-electric models and wheelchair accessible cars, to test their durability and performance. As of 2011, the Crown Vic won't be manufactured anymore, and the City needs to have an alternative that is durable, efficient, and good for passengers, drivers and owners.
 FORD STRETCH CROWN VICTORIA (standard taxi) |  FORD ESCAPE HYBRID (clean air taxi) |
 TOYOTA SIENNA (accessible taxi) |
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