Praise for ITM Power's green work in helping to cut emissions

Mr Norris, who is also director general of the Road Haulage Association, visited ITM Power in Sheffield to see the company's hydrogen technology which could play a significant role in reducing global warming.

Mr Norris's visit included a tour of the factory where a range of energy storage, clean fuel products are due to be launched next year.

ITM Power is taking part in a Ford Motors project to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Last month, ITM revealed it was joining Jaguar Land Rover, Johnson Matthey, the University of Bradford, the University of Liverpool, the University of Birmingham, Combustion and Revolve Technologies on the CO2 Reduction through Emissions Optimisation project.

The project's aim is to re-design the internal combustion engine and exhaust system to minimise carbon dioxide levels.

During his trip, Mr Norris inspected ITM Power's hydrogen powered Ford Focus and the recently launched HFuel product.

HFuel can be connected to a renewable electricity and water supply, to produce 'clean' fuel at the point of demand.

Mr Norris said: "The electrolysis of water using renewable energy to make hydrogen to fuel vehicles makes huge sense. The HFuel technology I have seen today clearly demonstrates that a British company has a major contribution to make in creating the global hydrogen infrastructure for refuelling hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles.

"These opportunities for British industry must not be missed. We need to encourage this technology as much as we can."