The Indian government has announced plans to put one million hydrogen-powered cars on its roads by 2020.

The government claims that a variety of vehicles ranging from small, two and three wheel vehicles to cars, buses and vans will be fitted with fuel cell engines in the next 15 years.

The scheme, which is projected to cost £3.2 billion, will also include the development of fuel cell based generating systems that will provide 1,000 MW of power for the country.

Non-conventional energy sources minister Vilas Muttemwar said: "India is poised to be in the forefront of hydrogen energy technologies because the country is uniquely endowed with a strong science and technology base and advanced industrial infrastructure."

However, some experts view the government's plan as overly ambitious.

RK Pachauri, head of the Energy Research Institute told DNA India: "This is completely unrealistic, unfeasible. Not a single country anywhere in the world has considered anything like this possible."

Clean transport has become a pressing issue, with Europe introducing strict rules governing automotive emissions, although today's announcement heralds a major new entry into the debate by India.


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