TAXI drivers in Southampton are being given more incentives to convert to hybrid and full-electric cars.

Members of the city council's licensing committee approved plans to allow older vehicles of these types to be used as cabs.

It was unanimously approved to increase the maximum usage age from nine to 12 years, something taxi bosses have welcomed.

These rules will apply to both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.

Currently 158 hybrids are used in the city, with no electric vehicles being taken up.

But councillors hope this will now change as they also voted to allow full-electric private hire cabs to take a maximum of three people, changing a heavily criticised rule that meant these taxis must take a minimum of four passengers.

This, the council says, will help cabbies who predominantly deal with school and social services contract runs, which mainly involves just a single passenger.

It comes less than a year before the council introduces a Clean Air Zone, which will force commercial vehicle drivers in high polluting vehicles to cough up sky-high fees to enter the city.

Regarding the approved policy amendments, Radio Taxis and Radio Drivers Association chair Clive Johnson said: "We are very supportive of the council and thank them for what they have done.

"This has been 18 months in the works and we are glad to see it passed.

"It is very important that the council gives our drivers incentives to allow them to afford a hybrid or electric vehicle."

Other benefits the council has offered for cabbies making the switch includes cashback from a £250,000 pot to help them ‘go-green’.

Taxi driver and union representative Perry McMillan added: "These policy changes will increase the lifespan of hybrid cars - it is something that we have discussed for the past two years, at least. Officers have done a lot of research into this.

"I drive a Toyota Prius (hybrid). It is very economical and very good on maintenance costs. It is very efficient for this sort of industry.

"If we are going to work with the council on the Clean Air Network, then this is the way forward.

"I think it definitely is the way forward and the new 12 year limit does give more scope for drivers to consider getting electric or hybrid vehicles."