Yanks devloping a new taxi or is it a Metrocab?

by Aftab Sat 8 Dec 2007 - 20:03

Transportation Systems Project Example

Project Title: wGSM Taxi
GSM Vehicles, Inc., Plattsburgh, NY

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BACKGROUND
Taxis and paratransit vehicles (used to transport persons with disabilities) equipped with hybrid-electric or improved conventional powertrains can achieve better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs compared to existing vehicles in these market sectors. NYSERDA sponsored work by BAE Systems (formerly Lockheed Martin) to install a proof-of-concept hybrid-electric powertrain in a chassis provided by GSM Vehicles, Inc. Based on the positive feedback that the proof-of-concept vehicle received from the taxi industry, GSM is developing an improved chassis that includes improved access for persons in wheelchairs and improved integration of hybrid-electric components or other efficiency-improving or alternative-fuel systems.
OBJECTIVE
Develop and demonstrate taxi prototype capable of achieving improved fuel economy, including ability to incorporate hybrid-electric powertrain or alternative-fuel systems.
DESCRIPTION
The work entails: further development of commercialization plans; additional evaluation of efficiency improvement options; design and fabrication of additional prototype vehicles; performance of tests and field demonstrations with prototype vehicles; and, collection of user feedback for use in refining vehicle and subsystem design.
BENEFITS
This project will reduce the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of taxis used in New York City and elsewhere. GSM plans to initiate vehicle manufacturing in Plattsburgh.
SCHEDULE AND STATUS

A new chassis configuration has been developed and the first prototype has been fabricated using a hybrid-electric powertrain. Two additional prototypes are being built using conventional powertrains and will be used to perform demonstrations and tests to determine potential fuel savings and other impacts versus existing taxis. The New York City MTA is evaluating the GSM taxi for potential use in the Access-a-Ride program, which provides transportation for disabled persons in New York City.