New York's yellow cabs to go green by 2012

NEW YORK, May 23 (Reuters) New York City's famed yellow taxi cabs will go green within five years under a plan that could serve as a model for other large cities, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced.

He said yesterday that 1,000 hybrid taxis would be introduced by October 2008, and that hybrids would gradually replace the rest of the city's 13,000 taxi cabs by 2012.

Hybrid vehicles are powered by gasoline and electricity, and they emit less exhaust and have better gas mileage than other vehicles.

While hybrid cars are generally more expensive, Bloomberg said the plan would save cab drivers more than 10,000 dollars per year in gasoline and other expenses.

The cab initiative is part of a larger push by Bloomberg to make New York a more environmental friendly city. Earlier this year, he pledged a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

REUTERS LPB VV0901