Boston environmental program promotes hybrid taxicabs

[Ian David]

BOSTON -- A $40,000 grant program in Boston seeks to encourage taxicab companies to go green by using fuel-efficient hybrid cabs.

Compaines and independent drivers of Boston's more than 1,800 taxis can get up to one-thousand-dollars in grant money per hybrid cab that they use.

So far, the city has 19 hybrid cabs, and 15 are owned by Boston Cab Company Dispatch. The firm invested $450,000 in its hybrids. CEO Brett Barenholtz says the hybrids are far more expensive than conventional Crown Victoria cabs.

The hybrids are green-striped Toyota Camrys. City officials say it's unclear how cost-effective the cars will be, and says the program is just a pilot project at this stage.

http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO58625/