The New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission approved The Vehicle Production Group LLC’s (VPG) MV‐1 motor vehicle for use as a New York City taxicab.

The MV‐1 is the first and only factory‐built and assembled vehicle that meets or exceeds the vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to VPG.

Community advocates, taxi owners and VPG representatives made a joint presentation to the TLC prior to its unanimous approval of the MV‐1 to operate in the city as a taxicab. This is the first time since the fabled “Checker Cab” that a purpose‐built vehicle has been approved for operation.

The approval allows the owners of the more than 13,000 taxis currently operating in the city to begin replacing their vehicles with the fully accessible MV‐1, making it possible for New York residents and visitors with disabilities to more easily get around the city.

 Assembled in the U.S., the MV‐1 is not a converted van or other aftermarket product.  It carries a factory warranty and has passed all relevant federal safety and crash test requirements.The vehicle is also built from the ground up to address the needs of over 14 million Americans who must use wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers or other mobility devices.

The MV‐1 is also ADA-compliant with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) engineered and assembled compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system option. Since the system is factory-installed, the MV‐1 with the CNG option meets all government safety and crash test requirements and maintains the same durability, reliability and quality as the gasoline-powered vehicle. Fleet operators and consumers can reduce expenses by utilizing the less expensive CNG fuel.

The vehicle also features a 56‐inch high by 36‐inch wide side door opening for easy wheelchair or scooter entry and exit via a wide deployable ramp with an accommodating 1,200‐pound weight capacity that quickly and easily stores within the floor inside the vehicle. The vehicle’s ramp is available in either a manual or powered version.

The MV‐1 can accommodate a passenger in a wheelchair and another five occupants, when equipped with an optional rear facing jump seat.