The kit, supplied by French manufacturer SymbioFCell, is a modular system designed to double the range of an electric vehicle with no loss of payload, and is multi-marque compatible.

La Poste is to test the technology on its delivery routes in the Franche-Comté region as part of plans to reduce its CO2 output by 30% per household served between 2008 and 2018. It is hoped the trial will prove the kits offer the same availability, flexibility and autonomy as a conventional diesel van.

Mr Jean-François Courtoy, industrial director at La Poste in Franche Comté, said: ‘The fuel cell solution improves winter working conditions for postal workers by providing better heating and defogging without impacting battery performance.

‘In addition, it makes replacing the diesel vehicles that are used today for longer routes possible. This will significantly improve our level of global CO2 emissions.’