Call for hydrogen fuel stations
Updated on 03 March 2008
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has called on the UK Government to create hydrogen fuel filling stations to help the fight against climate change.
The Virgin chairman also appealed to governments world wide to build hydrogen garages.
His call came as Virgin announced in New York that it was teaming with car giant General Motors to offer zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cars as part of Virgin's limo service for first class passengers.
The first of three of these cars will be tested out in Los Angeles and then a further three will be trialled in New York.
Virgin wants to bring the cars to London but there are no hydrogen filling stations as yet.
Sir Richard said: "Our mission to be the sustainable airline is clear, both on the ground and in the air. Partnerships such as this with General Motors shows that we are pioneering in the aviation industry when it comes to reducing emissions at every stage of our passengers' journey."
Sir Richard went on: "We are calling upon governments world wide, not just the UK and the US, to assist our businesses by building hydrogen filling stations in key cities so that drivers can fill up their cars more easily.
"As a first step, existing filling stations could add renewable energy pumps alongside other fuel pumps."
General Motors planning vice president Dr Larry Burns said that the deal with Virgin represented 'a great partnership'.
These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.
