Just a few days ago, I posted on Hybrid Use as Taxicabs Questioned stating the fact that hybrid manufacturers are refusing to certify that their vehicles are safe for use as taxicabs with partitions. Today, results of a study that was commissioned by the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade (MTBOT) were released which details the Ford Escape Hybrid’s safety when used as a taxi.

Recent incidents include an 8/30/2008 serious accident that sent the cab’s passenger to the hospital and a 9/15/2008 rollover accident after a collision, which sent the driver to the hospital and a completely totaled Escape Hybrid. On 9/19/2008, another Ford Escape Hybrid was involved in a rollover. If you have ever been to NYC, then you know that there is a large taxicab population so it is no surprise that taxis are involved in accidents, even serious accidents.

However, C. Bruce Gambardella, P.E. who released the report had this to say, “In all my work as an accident reconstruction expert over the past 26 years, I cannot recall a single case where a Crown Victoria or a Crown Victoria-like vehicle has rolled over in a vehicle-to-vehicle crash.” (Source: PR Newswire)

“MTBOT has brought a federal lawsuit against the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and the City of New York to stop its 25/30 mpg taxi mandate, which would force owners to abandon purpose-built stretch Crown Victorias and purchase Ford Escape Hybrids and other untested and unproven standard non-commercial passenger vehicles and place them into service as taxicabs. Last month, the mandate, which was set to take effect on October 1st, 2008 was delayed because of the ongoing court case. Arguments will be heard in Manhattan federal court on Friday, October 17th.” (Source: PR Newswire)

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