TWO hydrogen powered Transit vans are being trialled by Southampton City Council as part an environmental drive.

The council is test driving the clean fuel adapted vans, supplied by Sheffield based energy firm ITM Power, following an agreement signed 18 months ago.

They cost about as much as conventional vehicles to run but are carbon neutral.

If successful other vehicles in the council’s 400-strong fleet could be retrofitted with the cutting edge technology to run on hydrogen.

The hydrogen fuel is being generated through electrolysis in a container sized storage unit at the City Depot, that can quickly recharge the vans.

Electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is stored, and the oxygen is vented out to improve local air quality.

The council has an environmental strategy targeting air quality improvements from transport and increasing the use of renewable energy.

Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Southampton City Council has an enviable record of leading on sustainable technologies and this pioneering trial is no exception.

“The trial will enable us to demonstrate how we can reduce CO2 emissions and save money on fuel bills, while assisting the council in delivering its high efficiency lighting programme.”