On Your Mark, Get Set, Go Green Texas Taxis

Texas, setting the newest standard in green and clean partnerships is assisting many companies to trade in old technology for new cleaner, greener ones.  Rebate programs encourage large and small business owners to make the change.

Much of the public transportation in San Antonio, Houston,_Texas” target=”_blank”>Houston and Dallas,_Texas”>Dallas, Texas is supplied by taxi companies.  The United States government reports that 60 000 to 80 000 miles every year of public transportation is accumulated by people taking taxi rides.  Trading in the older pieces of heavy equipment would make a considerable difference in the amount of air pollution produced by Texans. Vehicles older than 10 years tend to emit emissions of carbon monoxide that exceed the acceptable limits we have today.

In addition, taxis spend a lot of time idling waiting for return fares and additional passenger pick-ups which generates more undesirable particulate matter into the air. Taking larger and older styles of vehicles off the transportation roster would save money in fuel as well as encourage the next purchase to be made from a hybrid, plug-in electric or smaller, more energy-conscious choice.

The Green and Go Clean Taxi Partnership is a collaborative effort put forth by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).  This initiative extends beyond taxi cabs and includes residential vehicles.
The TCEQ sponsors many green living choices.  One of these provides individual vehicle owners with as much as $3500, subject to a vehicle registration in a participating county and annual family income, as an assisted method to sponsor a trade-in of their old smog-emitting jalopy.  The TCEQ accompanies grants with public awareness and education to increase public responsibility for and enthusiasm toward participating in greener choices.

Changing traditional views of energy consumption to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternatives is ongoing and inspiring in the U.S. Way to go Texas!

Tagged as: Environmental, green, Green and Go Clean, Taxi