 "Photo: Karina Jacques/The Daily Texan")
Inside a stone warehouse hidden deep in eastern Austin, a bright blue electric vehicle stands out among bikes, pedicab trailers and old golf carts.
The blue, golf cart-like Neighborhood Electric Vehicle has a solar panel on top to increase battery life by 25 percent and a small screen on the passenger side that displays digital flyers.
Unusual but efficient, its owner, Chris Nielson, hopes this little blue car will incorporate itself into the future of alternative public transportation.
Nielson started his downtown electric taxi business, Capitol Cruisers, two years ago and has since been fighting for a city ordinance that would back his plan.
In May, Nielson tried to become regulated and licensed by the city in order to avoid getting hassled by the police, but the Austin Transportation Department turned him down, citing safety concerns.
As a result, the Urban Transportation Commission asked Austin’s transportation department to create a list of broader regulations pertaining to electric vehicles-for-hire. The recommendations will be presented to the Urban Transportation Commission on Nov. 10.
If the recommendations are approved, the proposed ordinance will go to City Council for a vote in February.
Karla Villalon, spokeswoman for the city’s transportation department, said the new regulations will require drivers to be licensed by the city. Every vehicle used will undergo inspection by the city, and other safety precautions will be addressed.
As for now, Nielson’s vehicles do not have permits, and the company has been met with its fair share of legal setbacks. His drivers have received more than 70 tickets because of the confusion, but they have all been dismissed.
“I’ve had drivers drive around with [Texas Department of Transportation] laws printed up,” Nielson said, explaining how there is no current law against electric vehicles acting as vehicles-for-hire. “Cops are just confused.”
There is, however, no law or ordinance legally permitting the business, which puts the electric taxis in “legal limbo,” Nielson said. Despite the controversy, the little blue car cruised around East Sixth Street on Monday night, picking up wanderers in need of a ride.
Some Austin pedicab companies oppose the electric taxis for fear they might interfere with their businesses — spatially and financially. Pedicabs, which utilize a bicycle that pulls a cart meant for passengers, are free of charge, but operators do ask for tips.
Nathan Lipson, owner of Metrocycle Pedicabs, said he is frustrated by Nielson’s business plan. Lipson said Nielson is operating illegally, as well as catering to the same crowd as pedicabs.
“It’s a green mode of transportation, and I’m happy to support that,” Lipson said. “At the same time, I think it’s going to affect all of us financially.”
Nielson, who operated a pedicab for the first time Sunday in Dallas during the Cowboys game, said he now understands where the pedicab drivers’ frustrations come from. He found himself growing resentful toward the golf carts but said he will continue his golf-cart business.
He is, however, in the process of building pedicabs for a business venture between himself and the owner of Red Devil Rides, an Austin pedicab service. As the two vehicle-for-hire businesses learn to work together, and once the electric taxis are regulated, resentment will fade, Nielson said.
Ron Means, general manager of the Austin Cab Company, does not oppose the electric taxis but is concerned with the city’s policies regarding vehicles-for-hire.
“In order for us to compete, the city has to be able to give us the opportunity to change our rates,” Means said. “When our rates are set in stone, everyone else has the freedom to undercut you. That’s not a free enterprise system.”
The company charges a $2 flat rate and $2 per mile.
Environment Texas supports the electric taxi plan, as it furthers the organization’s efforts to clean Texas air.
Luke Metzger, director of the group, said the city’s current supply of gasoline-powered cars contributes to foreign oil dependency and other pollution problems. He said he sees alternative cars as part of the solution.
“Electric cars are emerging as an effective way to lower global warming emissions, oil use and smog,” Metzger said.
Lastly, Ms. Henson comments are not unexpected nor coming from what seems to be a neutral party, she's one of Chris's facebook friends and was seen at a recent Ground Transportation Authority meeting with Chris, I wonder if she has a stake in the business.