Highlander Hybrid taxi at the airport.

We went to the Sacramento airport last night to pick-up the in-laws. We were about half an hour early so we went for a walk. Passing the taxi staging area, I noticed a brand new (first day on the job) Highlander Hybrid taxi with its hood up and about 10 taxi drivers gawking at it. They had stunned looks on their faces.

Of course I had to go see. When I bent my head under the hood, one of the drivers said, “can you believe that the car is running . . . isn’t that the quietest car you ever heard.†Of course I had to say, “No . . . I believe I hear the climate control motor blowing.â€

After I explained that I have a Prius, they had a million questions that the new owner didn’t know.
Why two radiators?
Extra maintenance?
What happens if the battery dies?
How often do you replace the batteries?
Can you get electrocuted in an accident? . . . I don’t want passengers to get shocked.
Where do you plug it in?
Tax credit????
Etc?
Etc?

It was so interesting seeing multiple lightbulbs turn on and burn brightly. After I told them about the Vancouver taxi they started mentioning what maintenance and gas nightmares their cars are. One driver pointed to his car and said, “that car is less than six months old, and it is already giving me too many problems . . . and I already had a brake job!†I had earlier explained how the hybrid brakes work. They were listening.

The HiHy owner had a big grin on his face when I said it was time for us to go get the in-laws.

I think we will see several more hybrid taxis around the Sacramento area after the first of the year.