The French government has announced that it is to begin a 'clean vehicle' campaign to encourage the development of technology that will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from vehicles.

The ministries of the Environment and Research, Transport and Industry will manage the programme, which has been allocated €40 million of funding, to be spent over five years.

Added to existing government plans and contributions from the automotive industry, the national budget for clean vehicle research and development for 2003-2004 is estimated at €155 million.

A total of €11 million and €5.8 million respectively has been set aside for research into catalysts and fuel cells.

The project includes finding ways of reducing harmful emissions from existing vehicle fleets.