(a) Type of Vehicle. The vehicle must be a four-door model of one of the following types, and must meet all of the other requirements in this section:
(1) A compact or larger sedan.
(2) A sport utility vehicle equipped with running boards.
To qualify as a Taxicab Model, a sport utility vehicle must include the manufacturer or dealer option that provides the greatest degree of light transmittance available in the rear and side rear windows, and in no case less than 20 percent light transmittance. A sport utility vehicle will be designated as a sport utility vehicle by either the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(b) Interior Size. The vehicle must have an EPA interior volume index of at least 101.5 cubic feet. The interior volume index is calculated as described in 40 C.F.R. § 600.315-82(b)(2), and includes luggage capacity.
(c) Rear Compartment. The rear compartment of any vehicle approved for use as a Taxicab Model must meet the following dimensions as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers:
(1) Effective legroom (L51) must be at least 34.6 inches.
(2) Effective headroom (H63) must be at least 36.8 inches.
(3) Seat depth (L16) must be at least 18 inches.
(d) Front Compartment. The front compartment of any vehicle approved for use as a Taxicab Model must meet the following dimensions:
(1) Effective headroom (H61) must be at least 37.0 inches.
(2) Effective legroom (L34) must be at least 40.5 inches.
(3) Total legroom (the sum of L34 and L51) must be at least 76.2 inches.
(e) Air Conditioning. The vehicle must be equipped with a factory installed air conditioning system. The system must include air conditioning outlets for the rear seat area.
(f) Power specifications.
(1) Internal combustion vehicles. The vehicle may not be equipped with an engine whose maximum horsepower exceeds 295.
(2) Hybrid-electric vehicles. The horsepower of a hybrid-electric vehicle is determined by combining the electric power and the internal combustion power of the vehicle's engine. The total of these two figures may not exceed a horsepower of 295.
(3) Electric vehicles. The electric vehicle must accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in not less than 4.4 seconds.
(g) Diesel Fuel Usage. A vehicle powered by diesel fuel can be hacked up as a Taxicab if it meets the requirements of this section.
(h) Windows. All windows must have a light transmittance of 70 percent or more, except for the upper 6 inches of the front windshield.
(i) Manufactured for Commercial or Consumer Market. Any Vehicle that is powered by compressed natural gas that is manufactured by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the general commercial or consumer market may be approved for Hack-up, provided the vehicle meets all of the standard specifications for vehicle Hackup of this 35 RCNY § 67-05.1A.
(j) Vehicles used with Alternative Fuel Medallions must be a Hybrid Electric Vehicle or a vehicle powered by compressed natural gas that is manufactured by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the general commercial or consumer market that otherwise meets the requirement of this section.
(Amended City Record 5/14/2018, eff. 6/13/2018; amended City Record 2/2/2023, eff. 3/4/2023)