April 8, 2008 Cambridge cabs go hybrid Play video

(NECN: Cambridge, Mass.) - The Cambridge License Commission displayed new hybrid taxi cabs in front of City Hall on Tuesday, as officials announced plans to convert the taxi cab fleet to hybrid vehicles.

Taxi cabs are often older vehicles, getting very poor gas mileage. Cambridge is trying to make its city one of the greenest in the country.

The new hybrid Toyoto Camrys are more expensive than a used Crown Victoria, but with city grants of $10,000 per cab and support from Whole Foods, Cambridge hopes these six new cabs are just the start.

Organizers of the program estimate each cab will save 60-70% on its fuel costs and that all adds up to a lot of money for drivers. Originally a driver that was spending $20-30 a day in gas will probably now spend $10.

Cambridge is not the first city to undertake such a program. Boston has almost 40 hybrids in service. New York is also busy getting new hybrid Fords for its fleet.

NECN's Brad Puffer has the story.