The US is hoping to increase the use of hydrogen technology and entrench it in the country's transport infrastructure by educating state and local government officials about its benefits.

A series of hydrogen education workshops have been held to help promote the environmental and financial advantages of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

"By educating the public about hydrogen and fuel cells, this initiative is a step towards the hydrogen economy and realizing the president's vision described in his 2003 State of the Union Address that 'the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free," commented US energy secretary Spencer Abraham.

Officials were showed how fuel cells work, how hydrogen is produced, delivered and stored as well as vital facts about hydrogen safety.

The US government has committed around $1.7 billion in research and development of advanced hybrid vehicle components, fuel cells, and hydrogen infrastructure technologies over the next five years.