'M4 to become hydrogen highway'

Date: 12/2/2010

The M4 is set to become the UK's longest hydrogen highway, ministers are expected to announce today.

The south Wales motorway will be fitted with alternative refuelling points at strategic sites, encouraging the use of hydrogen and electric-powered vehicles.

Wales is to lead in developing alternative fuels from renewable sources under the scheme.

South west England and other regions are set to collaborate on the motorway project.

The provision of filling points for bio-methane, natural compressed gas and electricity could help to increase the popularlity of vehicles that use alternative fuels.

Baglan and Treforest in Wales already have multi-fuel filling facilities.
However, critics have suggested hydrogen may not be a viable alternative to fossil fuels because it is inefficient to produce and expensive to transport.

Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru Gordon James commented on the proposed scheme: "This is excellent news as it will help to reduce emissions of climate changing gases from transport whilst boosting the green economy and creating jobs in Wales."