Alternative Fuels Technologies Co. Makes the 1st Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi
10 July 2000
Alternative Fuels Technologies Corporation Makes the First Purpose Built Wheelchair Accessible TaxiJAMAICA, N.Y. - Alternative Fuels Technologies Corp. of Jamaica, New York has designed and manufactured the first purpose-built wheelchair accessible taxi/for-hire vehicle based on the Chevrolet S-10, and powered by a 4.3 liter engine and/or an optional hybrid-electric powertrain, with a 75 kw output. Michael DiGonis, the President and Founder of AFTCO, has over 38 years of experience in developing, producing and manufacturing purpose built and alternative fuel vehicles powered by natural gas, electric and hybrid-electric. This taxi vehicle, known as the METROKING(TM), has successfully completed its test cycle and currently the company is ramping up production to 10 units per day, and is taking orders from fleet owners and individuals. To be successful in the target market, AFTCO plans to maximize the use of available components and simplified configurations. At present, there are no commercially available hybrid drivetrains available for commercial vehicle use. This segment is presently not being adequately addressed by the major automobile manufacturers, whose plans are focused on hybrid Power trains for "mass market" vehicles suitable for use by households, and which cannot be expected to meet the duty-cycle requirements of commercial applications such as small delivery vans and taxis. Over the past several years, AFTCO has converted, serviced and monitored the performance of over 108 New York City bi-fuel taxicabs with over 19,000,000 miles on CNG and gasoline. AFTCO, a New York State Corporation, will have the licensing and manufacturing rights to this drivetrain and the METROKING vehicle. The vehicle can be inspected at the AFTCO facility at 111-30 Van Wyck Expressway, Jamaica, N.Y. Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.