Reykjavik - A filling station for hydrogen-powered vehicles, said to be the first in the world, opened in Iceland on Thursday.
"In time, what is happening in Iceland will show the rest of the world that hydrogen fuel is a real, commercial possibility that will lead to a cleaner, pollution-free environment," Industry Minister Valgerdir Sverrisdottir said at an opening ceremony on Iceland's official first day of summer.
He opened the station by filling up a hydrogen-powered Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, a prototype product of a European Union-backed programme.
The major partners in the venture are Icelandic New Energy, DaimlerChrysler, Norsk Hydro and Royal Dutch Shell.
In August, three DaimlerChrysler hydrogen-powered buses will be introduced and tested for two years in Reykjavik. Each bus will have a range of about 200km before it needs refueling.
Another hydrogen station is to open in Hamburg, Germany, in May. - Sapa-AP