The Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossover is the newest vehicle to enter the New York City yellow taxi fleet. It’s not the first electric taxi, and it certainly won’t be the last. If you want to check it out before you buy one, hail a cab in the city, and you’ll get your first test drive. Gravity, a startup focused on EV fleets and infrastructure, is responsible for the Rally Yellow Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Ford Mustang Mach-E New York City taxi

For the first time, Ford’s electric crossover will be a New York City taxi, according to The Verge. The mass-market EV is the first of a fleet of 50 electric vehicles Gravity intends to deploy as yellow taxis in the city. It says the fleet consists entirely of Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y models.

Two of the biggest competitors in the electric crossover segment will transport New Yorkers everywhere. On the plus side, it’ll give a lot of people the chance to check out one of these EVs, at least from the back seat.

The Verge spoke with Moshe Cohen, founder, and CEO of Gravity, who said, “I think the Mustang and the Model Y are kind of like the ideal taxi vehicles that are available today.” It’s hard to disagree that they’re the perfect vehicles for taxiing. They’ve got ample cargo room, a roomy back seat, and plenty of driving range. Not to mention, passengers will always feel like they’re riding in a luxury vehicle.

Are there already electric taxis?

In 2019, the Taxis and Limousine Commission approved the Tesla Model 3 to become a yellow taxi. The first one was spotted in use a year after the original announcement. Additionally, this year Revel announced a plan to use 50 Tesla Model Ys as a for-hire vehicle fleet in Manhattan. After some back and forth with the city itself, Revel gained permission to execute its plan.

Will all New York City taxis be Ford Mustang Mach-Es?

No, Gravity will not instantly swap every cab over to this or another electric model. Gravity is integrating the Mustang Mach-E models into the city’s regulated fleet of yellow taxis. Although the company needs to go through rigorous approvals from the city, it is a certified taxi agent. In addition, the Mustang Mach-E has already gone through proper approvals and inspections and received the go-ahead.

Cohen told The Verge that some features would need additional approval within the Mach-Es. Gravity plans to add extra features like an artificial intelligence camera. The purpose is to track the driver’s face to prevent distraction. Subsequently, it follows speed and other facets of driving habits to ensure safe driving practices. This type of taxi feature will make passengers safer and put your mind at ease.

How do you charge electric taxis in New York City?

Finding an EV charging station in New York City can be daunting. If there’s a whole fleet of them, how will the yellow taxis get powered back up after a long day? Fortunately, Gravity has its charging station outside of a parking garage in Manhattan. Cohen told The Verge that the company plans to install more stations, including fast-chargers capable of 350 kW speeds.

New York City should use more Ford Mustang Mach-E taxis

There’s a massive cost savings and marketing potential with converting a taxi fleet over to EVs. Similarly, rental car companies like Hertz, Enterprise, and more are using electric vehicles for the same reason.

Using electric crossover models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E as taxis is a great option. Crossovers are the perfect size for providing interior space without making the city harder to navigate. For instance, a Chevy Suburban taxi in the city might have trouble finding parking. If you want to test out the new Ford electric crossover, hail a cab in New York City. Your next taxi ride could be in a Ford Mustang Mach-E.