RTA & GM to use hybrid Chevy taxis

At the Dubai Motor Show, General Motors showcased their production 2-Mode full hybrid version of their full-size Chevrolet Tahoe. To clarify, a hybrid vehicle runs on petrol, but uses the movement of the vehicle to store electrical energy for use to run the vehicle when the additional power of petrol isn’t necessary, thereby saving fuel. Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and GM have agreed to use 5 of these special Tahoes, as well as 5 Chevy Malibu hybrids in a trial run. Some 40 taxis drivers and 15 technicians will also be trained to handle these vehicles. All this supposedly fulfills Sheikh Mohammed’s directives to use cleaner public transportation methods. While we approve the use of the upcoming Malibu midsize sedan, the Tahoe is total misstep.

The hybrid Tahoe burns less petrol than a standard Tahoe. Big deal. According to tested numbers, a hybrid Tahoe still burns a good amount more petrol than a Toyota Camry (which is already in use as taxis). A Tahoe is also more cramped in the rear than a Camry, as we found out ourselves. One of RTA’s special minivans also have more luggage and passenger space than any Tahoe, with similar or better fuel economy. So basically, the RTA will burn more petrol, while offering the public less comfortable interior space. The public also gets better off-road capability in a taxi, though I doubt desert safaris are part of their agenda.

Also, imagine what Dubai’s arrogant, racist and aggressive taxi drivers will do when they get their hands on full-size Tahoes. With a misleading green-leaves paintjob no less.