The Wall Street Journal (Mexico City) - Mexico's capital received its first all-electric taxi cabs Wednesday as part of an agreement between the auto maker and the local government to promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles in one of the world's smoggiest metropolitan areas.
Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, a potential presidential candidate in 2012, has championed the use of alternative forms of transportation through programs such as shared bicycles in parts of Mexico's most populous city.
The Mexico City government said its plans to promote the use of electric vehicles include waiving annual vehicle registration, exempting them from the emissions verification program, providing preferred parking areas, and allowing them to circulate in special lanes.
The use of gasoline-powered vehicles is responsible for about 40% of the capital's carbon dioxide emissions, and a greater proportion of other emissions, the city government said.
Mr. Ebrard set the first three taxis on to the streets of the capital along with officials from the car maker Nissan Motor Co., and General Electric Co., which provides the quick-charge equipment at the stations. The program hopes to bring 100 new electric vehicles by year end, plus a second quick-charge station, the city government and Nissan said in press statements.
Nissan is Mexico's top auto maker in terms of domestic sales and one of its biggest exporters of light vehicles.
