The world's biggest car manufacturer General Motors has given its endorsement to a European Union initiative aimed at promoting the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the fight against polluting emissions.

The ten-year pilot scheme, which will see the creation of hydrogen filling stations and fuel-cell plants in Europe's major cities, could begin as early as next year in some member states.

A complimentary offshoot of the plan will see the EU financing the construction of around a hundred hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010.

It is hoped that the scheme will see a significant increase in the number of hydrogen-powered cars and buses already on Europe's road by establishing a broader commercial appeal and consequently a lower production cost.

In a letter to European Commission president Romano Prodi, GM Europe president Carl-Peter Forster said: "This is a great opportunity not only to make clear the automotive industry's commitment to sustainable mobility, but also to start building up hydrogen infrastructure."

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, which feature a platinum catalyst, are already being used to power vehicles around the world.