Bright yellow taxis… they’re a staple of Manhattan. But have you ever thought about all of those noxious fumes leaking from the over 13,000 taxis that roam the streets of the Big Apple? Apparently Mayor Bloomberg has, and he’s taking action to make sure that his city becomes a tad greener.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Mr. Bloomberg announced that by 2009 all new taxis must have a hybrid drivetrain. In 2012, the transition to a full hybrid taxi fleet takes effect. This news comes concurrently with an announcement that new taxi medallions will not be distributed to vehicles that average less than 25mpg, with that figure rising to 30mpg in 2009 when the hybrid rule makes its first bow.

While the heavy congestion and stop-and-go traffic is a perfect setting for a major rollout of hybrids, some taxi owners are scared of the additional cost. But with the hybrids being estimated at an additional $3000 per unit, supporters suggest that the $10,000 in fuel savings per annum clearly outweighs any negative impressions that drivers may have.

Who would have thought that Manhattan would retire the Crown-Vic before FoMoCo? Toyota, apparently. It already has a brace of hybrid taxis running around in major cities, including models based on the Prius, Camry, and Highlander.

+ Bloomberg.com: Mayor Bloomberg Orders Taxi Cabs to Be Hybrids