'Taxi Of Tomorrow' Faces Snag In Court Due To Lack Of Hybrids

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The "Taxi of Tomorrow" was announced with much fanfare in December, but on Wednesday, a judge threw out the law that created it on the grounds that it will not be offered in a hybrid version.

The law creating the "Taxi of Tomorrow" was declared "null and void" Wednesday because the vehicle to be used – the Nissan NV 200 – will not be offered as a hybrid in the first stages, CBS 2 confirmed Wednesday. It will only be offered with a combustion engine.

The Nissan NV 200 was set to hit the city streets in October

Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairman David Yassky said the October launch of the "Taxi of Tomorrow" will go ahead as planned.

"The TLC is acting immediately to ensure that taxi owners will continue to have the option to purchase a hybrid vehicle, even once the ToT hits the road in October," he said in a statement. "This ruling will not delay the ToT's implementation."

The new taxi will feature all sorts of options for passengers to ride in comfort.

It will have charging ports for electronic devices, more leg room, sliding doors, anti-microbial back seats, reading and foot lights and a panoramic see-through roof.

But the Taxi and Limousine Commission had considered the possibility that a judge might take issue with the lack of a hybrid option.

This is despite the fact that the city said six of the fleet will be entirely electric.

The commission announced earlier in the month that it would permit drivers to go on using certain hybrid vehicles for taxis until a hybrid NV 200 is ready.

Under the Taxi of Tomorrow plan, all current taxis will be off the streets by 2018. The new $29,000 cabs will get 25 miles per gallon.

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