The Bush administration announced yesterday it is set to provide £66 million in funding for research into hydrogen fuel cells.

The funding is part of President Bush's £1 billion hydrogen research programme that began in 2003.

The government hopes that the increased funding will expedite the widespread commercial use of fuel cell technology.

Vehicles powered by fuel cells would greatly reduce demand for imported oil and significantly cut carbon dioxide vehicle emissions.

The energy secretary Samuel Bodman, told Newsday.com that the money would be used to fund projects that would help "in getting technology out of the laboratory and out onto the test track".

"We are well past the point where we see that it can be done, and now we're at the point of figuring out how it can be done - affordably and safely," Mr Bodman said.

It is hoped the funding will help reduce the current cost of producing fuel cells as well as providing improved infrastructure of the technology, such as refuelling stations.

The government hopes hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be available for the general public by 2020.


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