The green, green cabs of NZ
February 12th, 2008 by trinatuneI’m back from a great trip to New Zealand. Besides seeing some amazing places, I also managed to catch up with some very good friends that I haven’t seen for a while.
While in the nation’s capital, Wellington, I stayed with a friend who is working for a design company called Moxie. However, Moxie is no ordinary design company because it also advises companies on how to improve their sustainability through their practices and products. Such a great idea and good to hear this company is flourishing in NZ.
On another note, the one thing that did take my notice in a big way was the fleet of Green Cabs driving around Auckland. These cabs are all hybrid Toyota Prius and the company claims to help the environment by being carbon neutral and cheaper for its passengers. The cars are also available in Wellington (although I didn’t notice any while I was there) and the fleets are growing.
Apparently, such an initiative has been approved for Sydney (and is already underway in Perth) but I haven’t seen any such cabs in my traffic choked city. Has anyone in Australia seen a green cab in their city or town?
I’m in Perth, and haven’t seen a Prius taxi yet, but will keep an eye out for them. Recently we caught a taxi from our house, and the driver was very interested in our own Prius, asking lots of questions about the mileage and so on. I think a lot of taxi drivers would be keen for the lower petrol expense from driving one.
Hey Trina - welcome back
I’ve seen the hybrid cabs in Sydney - I’d say I’ve seen a grand total of 3 - they are definitely few and far between…
G
Friends of mine run this company - http://www.pedapod.com.au/ - now they are as green as it comes, when it comes to carbon neutral there is no better way to get around Sydney city
Hey Blindog, I’ve seen these around Sydney lately. Very cool idea.
This is a great idea … I wonder if it will catch on here. There aren’t many Prius here at all.
Refer to the above web site under news and carbon zero. Greencabs claim and I quote ” Greencabs is the only company of its kind in New Zealand and the second world wide thatis offsetting emissions 100%” They also claim in their radio advertising to be carbon neural. Where is the appropraite government certification on these claims??? or is this just another case of “green washing”