Black cabs may be iconic in the United Kingdom, but in the city of Worcester they’re old news - because green cabs are all the rage.

Cab firm Go-Go Eco has become the city’s first operator to use twin-engine hybrid vehicles, casting conventional cabs aside in favour of these environmentally friendly alternatives.

The Toyota Prius vehicles adopted by the cab firm emit no fumes when travelling at low speeds and so are perfect for inner-city driving. Instead they run on a rechargeable electric motor when waiting in traffic only to switch to a normal petrol engine for higher speeds.

In terms of driving experience, the cabbies and the passengers should notice no difference but with far lower fuel consumption and less emissions both the environment and the company’s finances should benefit.

Despite the obvious advantages, company owner Jon Higgins faced a battle when bringing these green cars into the city. Regulation in Worcester states that all private hire vehicles must have a minimum engine capacity of 1600cc - yet the Toyota Prius fell short with a 1500cc engine.

However, the Council was quick to change its regulation in order to encourage the use of hybrid cars in the area.

“I welcome this,” commented Deputy Mayor Lucy Hodgson. “I think it’s really good for the city and it’s something we should be shouting about from the rooftops.”

There were fears that with the cabs being so quiet there could be an increase in accidents. However, Mr Higgins insisted this would not be a problem as they can still be heard. Instead it will just be a boost for residential areas to enjoy quieter streets at night.

What do you think of this scheme in Worcester? Would you like to see cab firms go green in your area? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.