Need a cab, New Yorkers? Keep an eye out for Ford’s Mustang Mach-E
I wonder which EV will come next
Story byIoanna Lykiardopoulou
Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainabili(show all)Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainability, green tech, AI, and EU policy. With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.
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What’s happening?
The Mustangwill jointhe electric taxi fleet of EV startupGravity, which is already planning to deploy a Tesla Model Y as well. The company hopes to have a fleet of at least 50 electric vehicles, comprised of both Mach-Es and Model Ys.
Gravity’s vehicles are authorized for use as taxis, under anEV pilot programadopted by the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) earlier this year. As such, they are incorporated into the city’s regulated fleet of yellow cabs.
What to expect?
Both vehicles will be available for hail either on the street orthrough standard yellow taxi e-hail apps.
They’ll also come with a few extras like a panoramic roof, a 12-inch screen display for the riders’ entertainment, and AI tech that promises to “helpprevent driver distraction as well as monitor the vehicle for safe driving behaviors.”
To maximize the operating hours, Gravity will use its own charging hubat Manhattan Plaza on West 42ndStreet, where the vehicles will be charged overnight during off-peak hours.
What’s the takeaway?
It’s not surprising that taxi and rental operators are adding electric vehicles to their fleets. In the case of NYC it’s a necessary move, given that the New York state has decided toban gas guzzler sales by 2035.
What will be interesting to see is how private companies will cooperate with governmental bodies like the TLC to scale up the numbers in time.
And as for which kinds of EVs we can expect to see hitting the city’s streets as yellow taxis, the TLC has already published a list of approved vehicles:
Since we’re two down, I can’t wait for the next electric taxi choice!
