By Xinhua
Abu Dhabi : Ten hybrid taxis will be introduced in Dubai in January 2008 in a bid to reduce emissions resulting from vehicle exhaust systems, local newspaper Khaleej Times reported on Friday.
According to an agreement between Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and U.S. auto maker General Motors (GM), an operational trial of 10 GM hybrid taxis will be started in Dubai in January 2008, the report said.
The 10 hybrid taxis will include five all-new Chevrolet Tahoes equipped with a two-mode hybrid engine and five Chevrolet Malibus.
The trial period will last for one year during which GM will provide technical training on safety and other aspects to 15 RTA technicians and 40 Dubai Taxi drivers.
Public buses in Dubai will be converted into hybrid ones, if the trial period proves a success, RTA officials said.