Funding has been pledged by the government to speed up the arrival of hydrogen cars in the UK.

Some £11 million of investment is being made available to help establish an initial network of up to 15 hydrogen refuelling stations by the end of 2015. The government will contribute £7.5 million, while £3.5 million is to come from the private sector.

The government hopes the UK will become a global leader in ultra-low emission vehicles and this initiative forms part of its wider attempts to decarbonise road transport.

In addition to the boost for refuelling stations, £2 million of the investment will be made in the public sector, facilitating the deployment of around 40 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in focused geographical clusters.

Business minister Matthew Hancock described the technology as "a huge economic opportunity".

"We want to make the UK one of the best places in the world to design, manufacture and sell ultra-low emission vehicles," he added.