New York City’s First Tesla Taxi Takes To The Road
Image via Drive Sally
New York’s yellow wheeled icon goes green with the city’s first Tesla taxi and electric cab.
The first of hundreds planned, the Tesla Model 3 of medallion number 8P86 completed its maiden weekend of service, which comprised over 100 trips, Business Insider reports.
While there are a number of hybrid vehicles registered under New York’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, such as the Toyota Prius, public records reveal that the Tesla car is the city’s only entirely electric vehicle (EV) approved as a yellow taxi.
The EV is owned by Drive Sally, a company that leases out vehicles to professional drivers for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
As the Tesla taxicab is still in its preliminary miles, Drive Sally’s founder and COO Andriel Gonzalez said the company has been taking in feedback from drivers who have worked with the EV. One common problem among passengers seems to be the confusing door handles that lean flush to the door and only pop out when they’re about to get in; Gonzalez said this will be fixed with a “push here” message.
Of course, a key concern with electric cars is if they can get to a charging station before their battery drains out. Gonzalez addressed that whereas most taxis work on a two-shift schedule per day, the Tesla cab will only operate on one so it can charge in the garage overnight.
Gonzalez told Business Insider that Tesla taxis might have the potential of propelling the yellow-cab industry, which has been threatened by the ride-hailing market, back to its heyday. Additionally, he wants to be prepared should the city ever mandate electric cabs for environmental purposes.
At present, Drive Sally observes that Teslas may be more suitable as for-hire “black cars.” The roomier Model Y could also serve as a better yellow cab, but it’s currently too expensive. Nonetheless, the company intends to bring hundreds of Tesla taxis to New York in the foreseeable future.
Dispatching tonight. First NYC Tesla Taxi. Can we get 1,000 more @elonmusk @Tesla? pic.twitter.com/ZEEaDju8wa
— Sally (@drive_sally) October 30, 2020
Never too late! This is actually the one and only Tesla in USA with a taximeter on board! 😇 pic.twitter.com/AM1lR9xxxl
— Christian Roy ⚡️🚖⚡️ (@TeslaTaxi) November 6, 2020
[via Business Insider, cover image via Drive Sally]
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