Nissan has just started a pilot program in New York City, and will be testing out six Leaf EVs that are to assume the role of taxis for the next year. It is a small-scale action designed to give the Leaf a shot to prove itself. However, to taxi drivers in London, Amsterdam and Sao Paulo, it has been a trusted companion for over a year.

In fact, the Dutch EV taxi service racked up more than 155,000 miles (250,000 km) in its first six months of operation.

Back to New York, the city is already trying out Nissan‘s NV200 van as its “taxi of tomorrow,” and the Leaf taxi pilot will “help optimize the use of electric vehicle technology for future applications,” according to the company.

Also, in order to get things going, several CHAdeMO-based DC fast charging units will be installed across the city, which will allow drivers to charge their cars battery up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes.

According to the Mayor of NYC, Michael Bloomberg, the first tangible milestone they’re trying to achieve is to have one third of their entire fleet of taxis go electric by 2020. If the program is successful, then more cars will be added, and at some point in the near future, they will stop calling it a pilot.

By Andrei Nedelea

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