A reader notes:
The taxi fleet no longer buys used police cars. While that was the case long ago, the fleet today is composed of new vehicles, and some do consist of the police package-type, with their heavy duty features.
And yes, the hybrid vehicles (Ford Escape mini-SUV) have no A/C function while running on the battery, so I imagine fares will quickly pick up on that and avoid them when they can.
Of course, the “Taxicab rider Bill of Rights” includes “Air conditioning or heat on request,” so we have one government mandate butting up against another.