Working with hydrogen infrastructure specialist Air Products, the site will gain a fast 700-bar SmartFuel station, offering support for current-generation hydrogen-powered buses and taxis, as well as the expanding selection of hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars due from 2015.

It follows the announcement earlier this month that the UK government would fund an £11m network of 15 hydrogen stations nationwide by the end of 2015, as well as providing £2m to roll out the technology in the public sector. The investment will more than double the existing network of 13 stations, spread between London and the Shetland Islands.

Avishai Moor, fuel & kiosk category manager from Sainsbury’s said: ‘Hydrogen vehicles are both environmentally friendly as well as efficient so we are really excited about being the first UK supermarket to trial this new technology and make it accessible to our customers.’

Diana Raine, Air Products’ hydrogen energy business manager, added: ‘Making hydrogen technology available at a supermarket for the first time is another big step in encouraging the use of cleaner, greener fuels to reduce air pollution and protect the nation’s health.’