Build hydrogen cars in Shropshire, says Philip Dunne MP

The production plant of the world's first commercially-made hydrogen powered cars could be built in Shropshire, it has been revealed.

Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, put forward the case for basing such a facility in the south of the county at the launch of a £20 million pilot project in Ludlow yesterday to develop and test 30 hydrogen-powered cars in the south Shropshire and north Herefordshire area.

He said there were already several firms in the Bridgnorth area making components for Formula One cars and added Grainger and Worrall, based on Stanmore Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the town, made engine parts for Aston Martin.

He added that south Shropshire would be the ideal place to make 'innovative' new cars.

The claim was backed up by Hugo Spowers, founder of Ludlow-based firm Riversimple, who has created a prototype hydrogen-powered car with the dream of producing them commercially. Under the plans, cars would be leased to motorists who could drive up to 240 miles before filling up at special fuel cells. They could reach speeds of 50mph.

A deal was signed yesterday between officials at Riversimple, Shropshire Council and Herefordshire Council to help find 30 people to lease the cars and set up fuelling points as part of the 18-month pilot scheme.

Mr Dunne said: "This is exactly the sort of project that innovative councils in rural areas should be getting involved with."