Nissan’s European research and development held at meeting at its centre in Bedfordshire to launch the UK hydrogen network project (UK-HyNet).

UK-HyNet is an initiative that aims to position the UK as one of the world’s leading hydrogen economies by 2015, by creating a network of hydrogen infrastructure throughout the UK.

UK-HyNet said: “The majority of manufacturers plan to start the commercial mass deployment of hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles (HFCVs) in 2015.

“It is the intention of UK-HyNet to create the conditions by which the UK becomes the country of choice for the carmakers to launch their first HFCV fleets.

"The idea is to provide a platform for the regeneration of the UK’s car industry, a showcase and test bed for its innovative technologies and a launch pad for a potentially huge and sustainable clean technology industry with enormous domestic and export market, wealth-generating and job-creation potential – in short, part of the ‘green route out of recession’.”

Nissan said it wants to act as a catalyst to bring together local, national government, academic institutions, regional development agencies, technology suppliers and potential end-users.