Six electric taxis are hitting New York City’s streets.

The environmentally efficient vehicle is called the LEAF. Nissan is donating the taxis as part of a year-long pilot program.

The city plans to make one-third of its taxi fleet electric by the year 2020. The fleet has 13,237 medallion taxicabs.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission says electric taxis could reduce gas emissions by nearly 90,000 tons annually. They will help reduce fuel and maintenance costs, too. There are no belts to wear out and no combustion engine to require oil changes.

The city previously approved the Nissan NV200 minivan as its so-called “taxi of tomorrow.” That phase-in starts in the fall.

(AP)