Currently, approximately 306 hybrid-electric (HEV) Nissan Altima units are in use as taxi cabs on New York City streets. However, the City’s Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) just approved the non-hybrid version of the Altima for use in New York City’s taxi cab fleet.
The Altima, a top-selling sedan in the United States, will be added to Nissan’s “Taxi of Tomorrow” program. Under this program, Nissan will supply the city with a new purpose-built taxi cabs based on the Nissan NV200 van.
As part of the Taxi of Tomorrow program, Nissan dealers in Massachusetts said that Nissan also will work with the City and taxi owners on a pilot program to study the use of zero-emission, electric vehicles as taxis. Nissan will provide up to six 100-percent electric Nissan Leafs to taxi owners for testing in 2012. The automaker will also provide charging stations to support their use.
“We’re excited about the expanded opportunity for New York taxi drivers and passengers to experience the Nissan Altima,” said Joe Castelli, Nissan’s vice president, Fleet & Commercial Vehicles. “We’re proud that Nissan was selected to provide New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow and we’re focused now on delivering the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi ever to travel the City’s streets. While our work on that program is underway, we’re pleased that Nissan can increase its presence in today’s New York taxi fleet.”