Hi Jason:

___There was an article, in the Chicago Tribune Transportation section a few months ago (IIRC?), where they looked into a Prius II’s for Taxicab use. What the author of the article found was that most of the Taxi-Cab’s being purchased were used Chevrolet Caprice’s and with conversions cost just $7,000 - $8,000. I don’t remember the total miles/year driven but it must have been ~ 50,000 or more miles. If the average Caprice received ~ 15 mpg around town for 50,000 miles/year, they would have a yearly fuel charge of ~ $6,650 .00 vs. $2,200 for a Prius II at 45 mpg. With the price of an average Prius II somewhere in the $23,000 + range and another $1,250 in taxes, you could drive the Caprice for far in excess of 200,000 miles and they would break even on fuel costs alone. Just imagine what the repair costs of a Prius II in Taxi-Cab use would be at 200,000 miles? It would be cost prohibitive given the suspension and steering HW abuse a Taxi Cab receives let alone the Pack replacement and HW repair needed in that kind of environment. If there is anything that can be said for American Iron, large American city - Taxi-Cab use/abuse is its saving grace.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net