Japanese car manufacturer Nissan is offering consumers the opportunity to test drive its fuel cell-powered X-Trail vehicle, in order to help it understand the practical uses for fuel cell cars.

It will then combine the data gathered from the test drives with information acquired through its public road test in Japan and around the world to help develop its fuel cell technology.

The test drives will be available for up to a year from Nissan's headquarters in the Japanese capital Tokyo.

Its X-Trail model uses a 90kW fuel cell stack, giving it a top speed of 150 km/h. The hydrogen storage cylinder fitted on the car gives it a range of 370 km.

The company's bid to push ahead with its fuel cell technology will also see it take part in events in Europe this month, such as the Challenge Bibendum and the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in France.

Nissan has also carried out extensive tests in the US and Canada, having begun fuel cell technology development in 2001.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd