The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission [1] on Thursday approved a new regulation [2] that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the city's corporate "black car" limousine fleet.

Mayor Bloomberg with NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn, second from right.Currently, black cars have an average fuel efficiency of 12-15 miles per gallon. Following the vote, the TLC now requires fuel efficiency standards for new licensed black car vehicles of 25 mpg in 2009 and 30 mpg in 2010.

"We can all breathe a little easier, thanks to the exemplary partnership between Mayor Bloomberg, the Taxi and Limousine Commission and the corporate fleets," said Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "Black cars are important for New York City's economy but their pollution is a problem for our climate and our air quality. This new regulation will improve both."

Black cars contribute 272,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions equivalents annually, which make up 2 percent of the city's transportation-related emissions. Under the new standards, emissions from black cars will be cut in half.

The initiative was one of 127 sustainability goals set by PlaNYC [3].