Nissan will also supply charging stations as part of the programme, which follows news that the carmaker was selected as exclusive supplier of purpose built NV200 commercial vehicles, to be used as ‘Yellow Cabs’ for ten years, starting in late 2013.

If the pilot proves successful, TLC will investigate the wider use of electric vehicles across the city, possibly adding battery-electric powertrain to the NV200.

High fuel prices are already driving an increase in more economical vehicles. Hybrids now make up around a third of the fleet, at 4,300 cars, a figure which has more than doubled since the start of 2009.