Nissan Leaf EVs, similar to those headed to Gates Nissan of Frankfort in Frankfort, KY, are coming to New York as part of a taxi cab experiment. 6 electric Leaf hatchbacks are involved with NYC's 'Taxi of Tomorrow' project.

This project, which began as a joint venture between the Taxi & Limo Commission and the Japanese auto maker in 2007, doesn't only include hybrid cars. Anti-bacterial seats, extra luggage room, and fuel efficiency improvements are being looked into for future models. Nissan's NV200 van was selected as the design for New York's next taxi, expected to go into service by 2013.

This is just a small start for a program that has a lot to tackle: NYC's cab fleet is comprised of 13,000 vehicles, about 4500 of which are hybrid.

One thing that will have to change is driver habits: "Of course operating range will be an issue because the Leaf has a 62-138 mile driving range depending on driving habits. Achieving the 138 mile range would take the cabbie driving at a slower speed than they're typically known for. Charging stations will be installed at fleet garages, owner-drivers homes, and perhaps at the airports," adds one report.¹

Source: ¹http://www.torquenews.com/1075/nyc-deploying-six-nissan-leafs-taxi-tomorrow-pilot-program