Shanghai Taxis Hail New Vinyl Seats as More Sustainable Choice
SHANGHAI, People’s Republic of China, July 12, 2011 — Dazhong, one of the main taxi companies in Shanghai, is installing vinyl seats for its passengers which the taxi company claims is a greener, more durable, and safer alternative to its existing seat covers.
The white cloth seat covers that have been used in thousands of Shanghai taxis are difficult to keep clean. With cabdrivers facing fines for grimy seat covers, they sometimes need to return to the taxi depot repeatedly every day to change seat covers.
Dazhong officials stated dark-colored vinyl seats are more environmentally friendly because they save water used for frequently washing and whitening the cloth seat covers. A survey of cabdrivers estimates 18,000 tons of water and 715 pounds of cleanser are used each month to wash cloth seat covers of more than 40,000 Shanghai cabs.
The new vinyl seats improve safety, as passengers no longer struggle to locate seat belts often hidden under the cloth covers. Riders also find the seats more comfortable.
The new seats are also more durable, passing official abrasion tests conducted by the taxi company. Informal testing of the seats, by deliberately scratching them with a key, have only incurred light dents that can be wiped out.
To address critics of the vinyl seats about potential harm from possible offgassing, the Dazhong Taxi Company has stated the new seats have passed tests by the city’s environmental protection department.
Over the next couple of years, all of Dazhong’s taxis in Shanghai will be using the vinyl seat covers, with taxis in Hangzhou making the switch and Beijing taxi companies also considering the upgrade.
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