DC-area electric taxi plan runs into opposition

It looks like one Washington, DC-area cab operator looking to have an all-electric fleet of cabs isn't quite ready for takeoff.

Officials in Arlington, VA, unanimously voted against green-lighting Electric Vehicle Taxicab founder Malik Khattak's efforts to go all-Nissan Leaf with his fleet because the officials are concerned over the EVs making the trip to Dulles Airport, Plug In Cars reports.

With Dulles located 26 miles from central DC, officials worried about the prospect of Leafs not being able to make the trip without a recharge. Khattak, who'd planned for 50 Leafs and 56 charging stations in the area, said that the installation of a charging station at Dulles would solve that issue.

EV advocates have pointed to taxi fleets as a great way to cut emissions because of their high mileage and fuel efficiency, though some have said that rapid recharges may decrease the life of a typical electric-vehicle battery. Leafs have been tested for taxi use in New York (pictured) and Mexico City.



Source: Autoblog Green