The black cars that are offered for hire by car services could become more green under a proposal Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced [1] on Tuesday. NYLCV Executive Director Marcia Bystryn, third to the right of the mayor, joined Mayor Bloomberg for Wednesday's announcement.

According to the Associated Press [2], the 10,000 black cars that operate in the five boroughs would have to meet a minimum fuel efficiency standard of 25 miles per gallon next year, and 30 mpg by 2010. The vehicles now average less than half that efficiency.

To help defray the cost of buying a greener fleet, Deutsche Bank [3] and Lehman Brothers [4] will partner with Executive Transportation Group [5] - a black car suppier 0 to provide low-interest loans.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission [6] is scheduled to take up the matter in April.