A London bus has today offered a glimpse of the future of automotive technology by running on Shell's new ultra clean fuel.

The fuel, which is being trialled by London General and the DaimlerChrysler subsidiary EvoBus (UK) Ltd, was officially launched today (July 8th) by green fuels minister David Jamieson.

The fuel itself, entitled 'Shell Gas to Liquids (GTL) Transport Fuel', is a unique synthetic product derived from natural gas rather than crude oil.

It is a clear liquid, free of sulphur and offering significantly lower vehicle emissions of local pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, particulates, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons than conventional diesel.

Its sulphur-free content will also ensure it affords any platinum-based catalytic converters their optimum efficacy.

Clive Mather, chairman of Shell UK Limited, commented: 'Gas to Liquids technology offers an exciting opportunity as part of a wide range of future fuels that Shell has under development.'

Shell will be monitoring the bus, which runs at peak hours, throughout the three months of the trial, checking that it delivers the sort of emissions, fuel consumption and performance benefits that have already been seen in trials elsewhere in the world.