A project carrying out research into hydrogen filling stations that can be used to power hydrogen fuel cell cars has received further funding, as the US continues to develop its nascent hydrogen infrastructure.

Proton Energy Systems has been awarded a $1.2 million (£640,000) contract by the US government to continue its work with the University of Nevada, reports Fuel Cell Works.

The project has already developed a hydrogen filling station capable of running on solar power, using a hydrogen generator to split water into hydrogen and oxygen then compress the hydrogen.

The next phase of the project will involve producing hydrogen at a higher pressure by using proton exchange membrane water electrolysis technology.

Cars using the new technology have already been manufactured for demonstration purposes only, with car manufacturers testing the performance of the cars in cold weather.

Khan said he was confident that Proton Energy Systems would be ready if those cars were to go on the market in the near future.

"It's really up to the manufacturers to come up with a commercial car," Khan said. "We can fuel the cars one way or another right now. We have the capability to do that."

In the UK multinational outfit BP recently began work on its own hydrogen refuelling station in the Essex town of Hornchurch, as part of a deal to provide fuel cell buses between London and Ilford.

The project was submitted by BP as part of the EU-wide Clean Urban Transport for Europe (CUTE).