All-Hybrid Cab Company Wants To Expand

The company is also determined to expand.

Envirocab has been around for almost three years and if current business is any indication, General Manager Rick Vogel can't wait to see what the next three will bring.

"Our business is growing while statistically the other companies in Arlington have actually seen a decrease in volume over the last two years," Vogel says.

Which may be why Arlington County didn't grant Envirocab a fleet increase this past December. Envirocab has 50 hybrids on the road right now. Employees say while that's all right during the week, it doesn't even come close to covering the requests they get each weekend, which means they're sometimes forced to refer people to their competitors.

Because Envirocab is "green" and has built up a loyal following of environmentally conscious customers, that's especially bad for business.

"It can lead people to tell their friends 'Oh I tried to use them but I couldn't, they're too busy.' It's not that we're too busy -- we're just too small," Vogel says.

And with trouble brewing overseas, he says the more hybrids on the road, the better.

"I fueled up Monday for $3.09; the same station was $3.25 this morning. Looking at today's news, tomorrow it will be $3.45," Vogel says.

Envirocab says it will ask Arlington County for a fleet increase the next time companies are permitted to apply.