Taxis were the first transport fleet to adopt Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a cleaner form of energy for vehicles.

The vast majority of taxis in NSW rely on LPG to fuel their journeys which amounts to more than 1 billion kilometres a year.

LPG powered vehicles emit significantly less greenhouse gases and other pollutants than petrol-powered vehicles.

For example, studies have shown that the use of LPG Autogas in a Ford Falcon, the most popular taxi vehicle in NSW, reduces CO2 emissions by 11%.

Based on these figures, a taxi using LPG Autogas saves more than 4.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. On these estimates, the total reduction industry-wide in NSW alone would be more than 25,000 tonnes a year.

The first Hybrid-Electric Toyota Prius cab was trialled in Sydney in 2006 and the number of hybrids in the fleet is steadily increasing.

Hybrid engines have been built to be more fuel efficient than regular vehicles and with the combined use of an electric engine, they are responsible for lower carbon emissions.

While stationary, the vehicle produces zero carbon emissions as the fuel engine will switch off and only start up again when the vehicle is put into gear.

Cabbies who drive hybrid vehicles notice an immediate saving in fuel and servicing costs - not to mention the availability of parts and a significant reduction in time off the road for repairs.

The ultimate benefit to the environment is that taxis provide an alternative to the private motor vehicle. By carrying more passengers taxis take more vehicles off the road in an efficient way, further reducing CO2 emissions and reducing congestion.

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