Hybrids might not be a rare sight in NYC ever since Bloomberg announced last July that he planned to mandate a phasing-in of close to 3,000 hybrids a year in New York city… but a Lexus Hybrid? That’s something. Jalopnik spotted this green juggernaut on 38th street.

About that plan to introduce 3,000 hybrids a year? Well, there aren’t nearly as many hybrids on the market but Bloomberg insisted there would be 1,000 on the road by October of 2008 with 3,000 a year until the city converts the entire fleet to hybrid sometime in 2012.

A select number of cars are approved New York taxis. They include:

- 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Stretch

- 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

- 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

- 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

- 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid

- 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

- 2009 Lexus RX400H Hybrid

- 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

- 2009 Saturn Vue Hybrid

- 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid

- 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

- 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

- 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Diesel

- 2008 Autovan modified Toyota Sienna (wheelchair accessible)

- 2007 Eclipse Mobility modified Dodge Caravan (wheelchair accessible)

- 2008 Freedom Motors modified Toyota Sienna (wheelchair accessible)