From yellow to green; Mayor Bill White, along with Commissioner Larry R. Soward, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), have applauded Yellow Cab for their addition of hybrid vehicles to their Houston area fleet.

Cabs are a large fuel consumer, and they can be a large contributor to auto emissions in an urban environment like Houston. Yellow Cab's unveiling of four new hybrid taxicabs, signals a move that City and State leaders hope will be the beginning of a green taxi fleet throughout the Houston area.

Hybrid vehicles combine a combustion engine with a battery and electric motor to offer the extended range and rapid refueling of a conventional vehicle, while reducing energy consumption and emissions. The practical benefits of most hybrids include improved fuel economy and lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles.

More efficient cars on Houston's roads will provide great environmental benefits for the City. These hybrid vehicles will help to decrease smog-forming pollutants; they can significantly reduce ozone emissions and global-warming pollutants.

The new Ford Escape hybrid cabs are scheduled to hit the road within the week.

Yellow Cab, which is a subsidiary of The Greater Houston Transportation Company, will operate two of the new cabs; United Cab and Taxis Fiesta will each operate one. United Cab and Taxis Fiesta are sister companies of Yellow Cab.

***You can view all past and current Environmental Spotlights from the City's environmental web page. http://www.houstontx.gov/environment/spotlight.html

***If you would like to nominate your own, or an outside organization / company for an environmental spotlight, please send an email to envcomments@cityofhouston.net