Gas-efficient Vehicles Part 1

Sun Cab is both green in color and green in spirit! That is, we strive to be as environmentally-friendly as possible by adding gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles that get a drastically higher mile per gallon (MPH) ratio. The Toyota Prius Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Escape SUV Hybrid are examples of such vehicles.

Of our 44 associated fleet cabs, we have: 11 Toyota Prius Hybrids (48 MPG), 2 Ford Escape SUV Hybrids (34 MPG), 1 Toyota Camry Hybrid (34 MPG city). Compare that to the typical cab which is a Ford Crown Victoria (18 MPG), Mercury Grand Marquis (18 MPG). With the amount of miles a cab travels in a typical day (approximately 150-200), the benefits of an improved MPG ratio are many.

For ease, let's compare the Crown Vic and the Prius. This will be a little numbers-heavy, but let's say gas is $3 a gallon. In a cabby's day, a Crown Vic costs $30 worth of gas to operate. Driving the same amount of miles, the Prius costs $12. That savings over a 6-day week is $180 minus $72 equals $108. That over a year is 108 times 52 equals $5616. Over the life of a car of 7 years, that is $39312. This more than makes up for vehicle purchase price, increased maintenance spending, depreciation values.

Initial investment to buy a Prius ($14000 used) instead of a Crown Vic ($6000 used) is difficult for a small fleet or independent cab driver. In that case, there are favorable lease terms available. That, and more and more jurisdictions are mandating hybrid vehicles. Regulation and common sense math used above should convince a fleet or independent driver that gas mileage alone will make up for any increased cost.

What are other advantages of a hybrid vehicle? A better-looking cab that drives better and carries a positive message will mean more customers, meaning more fares, more tips, and more incomes to drivers and fleets. Fleets will be in better favor with regulators and will receive more permits to increase their fleet size. Morale of drivers and customers improve. Hybrids do get an edge over their competition.

I strongly believe in a future of all-hybrid fleets: through common sense math; a pulse of the needs of our customers; and, effective, smart regulation. Cab fleets are also the perfect place to implement even more forward-thinking environmentally-friendly and innovative solutions like electric cars and cars powered by other alternative fuels: propane, natural gas, bio-diesel, e-85 (more on the availability, opportunities, and grants available for such technology in a future column...).