The US Postal Service has announced plans to use Comtex, General Motors' new fuel cell van.

Under a new two-year agreement GM will lease Comtex to deliver mail in the Washington area, in a move that the firm hopes will demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the technology to the public first hand.

Thomas Day, the Postal Service's vice president-engineering, commented: "The Postal Service sees this as an important test for GM's fuel cell vehicle. The ever-increasing cost of fuel and the need to protect our environment highlights the need to move forward with this initiative."

"We are delighted to add this vehicle to the 30,000 alternative fuel vehicles already delivering the mail," he added.

It is thought to be the first commercial application of a GM fuel cell in the country, potentially marking the beginning of a new automotive era.

The vehicle will go on the road in September, at the same time as the nation's first hydrogen pump begins providing fuel at a retail gas station.