The New Orleans Carriage Cab has become the first taxi company in the US to install backseat soft drinks vending machines.

The machines, which dispense sodas for a fee of US$0.99 and accept credit card payments, have been tested for six months and are now being rolled out officially across the company’s 250-car fleet.

Rear-seat passengers have access to a touch-screen interface, built into the back of the front-passenger seat for selecting their drink of choice. Once payment is made, the can is dispensed from a fridge that is set in the void between the rear passenger seat and the vehicle’s trunk.

As well as drawing attention to the fact that it has beat companies in New York and Chicago to offering the service to its clients, the New Orleans Carriage Cab is also quick to point out that none of the beverages it will be offering are alcoholic and that all empty cans will be recycled on a weekly basis.