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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston Advances Effort to “Green” Cab Fleets; ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability Proud to Support CleanAir CABS Project
Apr 23, 2007
Contact: Kim Lundgren, ICLEI: 617.820.8038
Annie Strickler, ICLEI: 510.844.0699 x328
Boston, MA – ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability is proud to be
working with the City of Boston to implement the CleanAir CABS Project,
announced today by Mayor Menino, to promote the adoption of hybrid and
alternative fuel vehicles as taxi cabs to replace the existing fleet.
By converting traditional cabs to “clean” cabs and providing
educational and financial resources to cab owners and drivers, ICLEI
will help Boston cut global warming and air pollution and reduce the
burden of fuel cost and occupational health hazards. In addition to the
tangible benefits, the program will also foster considerable indirect
and direct public outreach on hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.
“ICLEI applauds the City of Boston for recognizing the tremendous
economic and environmental promise of greening the city’s fleet of taxi
cabs,” said Kim Lundgren, Director of the Northeast Regional Capacity
Center for ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability based in Boston’s
City Hall.
“The CleanAir CABS initiative is yet another innovative step by the
City of Boston in their quest to maintain their role as a leader among
New England communities in advancing local climate action,” said
Lundgren. “We are thrilled to team up with Boston to reduce global
warming and air pollution, raise awareness of the benefits of hybrids,
and help cab drivers reduce their fuel costs and health risks.”
Cabs also provide a unique marketing tool. As part of CleanAir CABS,
green cabs will appropriately be marked with a green stripe to make
them easily recognizable. Cab drivers themselves will be ambassadors
for the program and be available to discuss the benefits of driving a
hybrid cab with their customers.
Facts about Boston’s CleanAir CABS Program:
• There are 1,825 taxi cabs on the streets of Boston in operation about
24 hours a day with a considerable amount of time spent idling.
• By converting 12 current cab models (2001 Crown Victoria), which
average 15 mpg and travel about 55,000 miles a year, to 2007 Toyota
Camry hybrids which average 40 mpg, would save about 574,000 tons of
CO2.
• The project’s long-term goal is to “green” 180 cabs (10% of the fleet), which would result in 8.6 million tons of CO2 saved.
• A full quarter of the cab fleet (450 cabs) are legally required to be replaced at the end of 2007.
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