A hybrid Ford Escape Hybrid taxi cab passes the tall doorway of the East River Savings Bank in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Stopped at a red light before continuing its silent journey across the city. The City Council passed a bill in 2003 requiring the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission to set aside a proportion of new taxi medallions to be granted to vehicles that use cleaner fuels. By uly 2011, New York City had 4,980 hybrid taxis, representing almost 38% of the city's overall fleet,[20] and about 6,000 by September 2012, representing 45% of the taxis in service.