Britain is rapidly moving toward the green zone and they’re adamant that cars, and the current transportation system on the whole, is the biggest obstacle in this quest. That’s why they’re constantly trying out new methods of improving them.

This last couple of days London Mayer Boris Johnson welcomed a number of new electric cars from Peugeot and Citroen and started campaigns to persuade people into buying them. Another campaign sees the hybrid’s king Toyota Prius as the new airport taxi for London, Gatwick, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton international airports.

The Toyotas are supplied by Hills Toyota of Woodford Green in Essex to Checker Cars who employs 1000 drivers and is the official taxi operator for the aforementioned cities. With the low carbon dioxide emissions of 92g/km and fuel economy of 70.6mpg (combined cycle), the Prius is perfect candidate for the job, specially as it offers decent practicality as a cab as well.

Standard features on the T4 five-door hatchback include Bluetooth, heads-up display, seven airbags, electric windows front and rear, 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control. In addition, Checker Cars has specified the leather option pack.

“We will expect to replace the cars every couple of years,” said Checker Cars’ Managing Director David Crouch. “We’re initially using them at Stansted but we will then involve our other airports.“Our environmental policy is to reduce emissions wherever possible, and we’re also looking for greater economy in the operation of the fleet, because with fuel prices as they are that’s becoming more and more important. Congestion charge is also a factor.”