The world's largest hydrogen refuelling station has opened in Germany as part of the country's efforts to tackle automotive emissions.

Based in Berlin, the facility boasts enough hydrogen to fuel as many as 100 cars each day, providing both liquid hydrogen (LH) and compressed gaseous hydrogen (CGH).

The €33 million project is the result of a partnership between the German government and industry associates including BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Opel as well as a number of German power firms.

BMW is already developing a dual-fuel 7 Series, with the automotive firm pledging to establish a fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles to use the new station.

Germany has been a keen advocate of the hydrogen economy, with Ford unveiling its new prototype hydrogen engine at the VDA's research conference in Stuttgart before an audience including Chancellor Schroder earlier this year.

The H2ICE, as it is known, uses a 2.3 litre cylinder gasoline unit, and runs off compressed hydrogen gas.