Encarta says in 1900 NYC, Chicago & Boston, 1,170 of these were powered by steam, 800 by electricity & 400 by gas
In 1899 Ninety Percent of New York City's Taxi Cabs Were Electric Vehicles ... 
Not only that, but in 1899 and 1900, electric cars outsold all other types of cars, 
such as gas ... As these light bulbs became increasingly popular over the next ...