Electric Taxis in San Francisco

Palo Alto, Calif. – (October 27, 2010) – Better Place, with support from the U.S. Department of Transportation via the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, today announced a commitment to bring a switchable battery, electric taxi program to the Bay Area in partnership with the cities of San Francisco and San Jose to further cement the region’s position as the “EV Capital of the U.S.”


Electric taxis are the gateway to clean cities. While gas-powered taxis are fewer in number than personal cars, these high-mileage vehicles are disproportionally responsible for harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) and other tailpipe emissions, so electrification of this fleet is essential to making a real impact on air quality and oil consumption. Since taxis drive nearly continuously, they require instant charge of their battery to maintain quality of service and continue serving the public. Given the taxi business, waiting three to four hours for standard charge is not an option. Battery switch is the only option that allows the driver to recharge in less time than it takes to refuel, the means of range extension for today’s gas-powered taxis.



This program will be developed in partnership with key regional stakeholders and organizations that are working together to build Bay Area EV leadership, including: • Taxi operators and car sharing programs: Yellow Cab Cooperative, Yellow Checker Cab Inc.;
• Regional and state agencies: Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• Consumer and EV organizations: Plug-in America, AAA Northern California;
• Leading regional business/community organizations: Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Bay Area Council, Bay Area Climate Collaborative, Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, and others;
• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

"In November 2008, I was joined by Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Better Place in calling for making the San Francisco Bay Area the EV Capital of America," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. "This partnership with Better Place to build the first electric taxi program with switchable battery EVs in the U.S. helps make this a reality."

To Read the source of this blog posting review this article:
http://www.betterplace.com/the-company-pressroom-pressreleases-detail/index/id/better-place-to-bring-electric-taxi-program-to-the-san-francisco-bay-area

What can you do with this information?

• Send this article and video to everyone you know - this is just so cool. 
• Write a letter to the editor, praising this program and asking when electric taxis can be used in your community.
• When someone comments that "the government wastes our $$", remind them of this program and say in a firm assetive voice "I want my tax dollars to be spent on programs like the electric taxi that saves energy, reduces carbon emissions, and creates jobs".
  
• Contact your local congressman and senator and tell them you support this plan and expect them to support it too.