A federal appeals court rejected the city's attempt to force cab drivers to switch to hybrid vehicles yesterday, saying regulating fuel efficiency is the federal government's job. The decision, which upheld a 2009 ruling that the city's efforts were an attempt to mandate fuel economy, is the latest in a line of roadblocks. Regarding yesterday's decision, city lawyer Michael Cardozo said, "We do not believe that Congress intended for the Clean Air Act or the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit local governments from implementing incentive programs that encourage the purchase of environmentally friendly taxis." If the city wants to appeal again, they'll have to take it to the US Supreme Court. more ›

The shortage of fuel efficient taxis to fulfill the city's mandate for a green taxi fleet--cabs purchased after October 1 must get at least 25 miles per gallon-- continues. Now the Post finds "although fleet owners are being allowed to buy more of the gas-guzzling Crown Victorias as they battle Bloomberg's green-taxi rule in court, they're still in a jam because Ford has already stopped making that model due to the mayor's edict." Ha! Overall (not just taxi) demand for fuel-efficient vehicles has spurred the shortage. more ›

With the city's initiative to help green the taxi fleet six months old, the NY Times spoke to the drivers of hybrid cabs to the get the skinny on how well it's been working out. more ›

The Taxi and Limousine Commission has made it official: Cabs purchased after October 1, 2008 must get at least 25 miles per gallon. Then, after fall of 2009, newly purchased cabs must get at least 30 miles per gallon. As the AP puts it, this means "taxi fleet owners, who must replace their cabs every three to five years, will probably be forced to buy fuel-efficient hybrids, which run partly on electricity." The Taxicab Board... more ›