New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered all New York City’s taxi companies to convert to all-hybrid cars within five years. Sounds like a great view. Here’s the problem. Some hybrids, like those from Honda, kick into electric mode during acceleration, soon after gas mode while cruising — which will save gas for lead-footed New York cab drivers. Other hybrids, however — most conspicuously Toyotas (including the popular

Prius) — kick into gas mode during acceleration. You can get by 50 mpg, but only whether you accellerate slowly. That means cabbies driving Priuses and others using the Toyota-style system won’t really see huge improvements in gas mileage or big cuts in pollutio unless they drive like aging hippies in Marin County, which ISN’T BLOODY LIKELY.

Original post by Mike