THE North-East’s reputation as a centre of excellence for developing low-carbon vehicles has put it in line to spearhead the next generation of green transport.

The leading car manufacturers are looking at a number of locations to use as test beds to develop their fleets of hydrogen-powered vehicles, and a team of experts from the North-East, led by development agency One North East, is helping place the region at the front of the queue to win the potentially lucrative contracts.

The team is working with Cenex, the UK’s centre of excellence for low-carbon technologies, to use the North-East’s growing expertise in the sector to prove it is a perfect site for hydrogen vehicle development.

To offer a robust case that can win the contracts ahead of the likes of Germany, the North-East is joining forces with Wales and the West Midlands in a combined bid.

The North-East team, led by Dr Colin Herron, manufacturing and productivity manager at One North East, believes that joining regions with similar expertise in the field will give the UK a head start on its rivals.

Dr Herron said: “We cannot underestimate the challenge from the likes of Germany, who are also very keen to become the hydrogen vehicle test bed.

“It would open up the opportunity for hydrogen production, storage, transportation and the development of a network of filling stations.

“Once again, the North-East can play a leading role.

“This region has excess capacity for hydrogen, a pipeline grid which is a legacy from ICI on Teesside and a proven track record in low-carbon vehicle development.

“We are the obvious choice to help develop hydrogen vehicles.”

One leading car manufacturer is set to make a decision at the end of the year on where it will trial its hydrogen vehicles and Dr Herron hopes the UK will be its preferred location.

Robert Evans, head of Cenex, was equally positive about the prospects for hydrogen vehicle development, but he also issued a warning to the Government.

He said: “The development of the low-carbon vehicle industry has been an excellent example of the benefits of collaborative working between the public and private sector.

“However, there is a dark cloud hovering over this area, which is the proposed loss of the development agencies.

“We urge the Government to think long and hard about the implications of this decision and hope they have an alternative solution in place that will ensure we don’t lose the momentum we have built up over the past five years.”