BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has become the first council in Hampshire to support electric cars being used as taxis.

Hampshire County Council has secured £315,000 from the Government to fund rapid electric chargers across the county, with a charging point being installed at the Little Chef, in Popham.

Evergreen Consulting, which is based in Novello Close, Brighton Hill, has been working closely with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to encourage the introduction of an electric vehicle taxi service.

Robert Sharpe, technical director at Evergreen, said: “We’re delighted the council has taken this step. This initiative, together with the rapid electric charger, provides great scope to support more electric vehicles in the area – making Basingstoke an even more environmentally friendly place to live.

“Once local drivers and operators see how practical and cost-effective they are, we will soon see more on the road.”

The council has also updated private hire licensing regulations on leg room restrictions at a licensing committee.

Previously, private hire vehicles had to provide minimum leg room of 30 inches but the council has reduced the requirement by two inches to 28.