Not all London taxis are those common-sense purpose-built cabs we've come to know and love. Freelance firms, whose cars are available only by phone, are called "minicabs." How that name came about I've no idea, except no taxi based on a family sedan has ever been as "maxi" as a London cab when interior space is considered. One such firm, the very creative Green Tomato Cars, has started a pilot program to expand into the West London area with its fleet of Prius hybrids. The company, which currently uses five of the well-known gas-electric cars, plans to increase its fleet to fifty when it expands service across London by the end of June. Which gives me (modest bow here) a brilliant idea. How about a traditional London taxi converted to hybrid power?