THE future is looking electric as far as fuel cells go, taking vehicles into a virtually emission-free 21st century. Brian Roden, director of the Electric Vehicles' Association, says fuel cells are becoming a commercially viable alternative to conventional fuels.

He said: 'Obviously there is still work on fuelling the vehicles and storing hydrogen, but the technology is now there. The likes of Citydiesel and LPG are here now and available, fuel cells are what the future holds in store.'

Recently Zevco launched Britain's first road-going fuel cell hydrogen-powered car, travelling the streets of London as a taxi. Roden said: 'If you think back to that ZX computer you had 20 years ago it did the job and was great fun. That is the stage we are at with fuel cell vehicles, they are now doing the job, in 20 years' time, however, we will be looking at something very, very different.'

Roden added that battery cars are now widely available and are only limited by their poor range of about 50 miles between recharging. He is urging fleets which operate on a low mileage to go for battery cars as the perfect 'green' vehicle with no emissions.