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I urge the government to seriously look into the feasibility of replacing the current fleet of Toyota Crown Comfort  liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) taxis with that of hybrids. 
Toyota Hong Kong (Crown Motors Ltd) has taken steps to offer a replacement to the current ageing fleet of first version Comfort models specially designed for Hong Kong, with the introduction of the lower emission four-seater Comfort v2.0 LPG taxi that was first licensed in January 2009. However, I do feel that  this is insufficient given the need to tackle Hong Kong's severe roadside air pollution problem.
Hybrid vehicles  are compatible with the daily routine of city driving by  cabbies and are widely used in overseas cities such as Vancouver. 
The Toyota Prius model in particular is a favourite with passengers due to its comparatively high comfort (little noise generated). 
It generates  fewer emissions and taxi drivers like it because of the high fuel economy and low operating costs. 
 As I understand it, the reason that it is not utilised in Hong Kong is because it does not have enough trunk room to satisfy local taxi licence regulations. Could the Transport Department confirm that this is the case? 
This issue could be overcome with the introduction of the new Prius V that is an enlarged-wagon version of the Prius, being slightly taller, longer and wider. I think it would be very popular.  
With the stop-and-go traffic that is commonly seen on Hong Kong roads, sky-high fuel prices that are well above the world average, and the idling-engine ban that is set to come into force next month,  I see hybrid  vehicles as the way of the future for Hong Kong's taxis. 
 The Toyota Prius could utilise its electric vehicle  mode and  cost virtually nothing.
 It would rely solely on the in-built car battery, and would be recharged when braking in traffic or at traffic lights, while taxi drivers and customers would not have to suffer in the heat that is particularly serious in the hot and humid Hong Kong summer with the idling ban. It is a win-win solution. 
Alternatively, the Transport Department could consider similar LPG-hybrids such as those offered by Hyundai, should it prefer to continue promoting the use of LPG instead of petrol-hybrids such as the Prius.
Samuel Chan, Sha Tin



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Toyota

Hong Kong's taxis should move from LPG to greener hybrid models