Built by industrial gas company BOC as part of a partnership including Honda and economic development company Forward Swindon, the filling station is available for anyone using or developing hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Designed to be a replicated around the UK, it fills at the standardised 350 and 700 bar pressures used by most car manufacturers and has a bank of hydrogen cylinders allowing cars to be charged back-to-back without waiting for more to be generated.

Filling times are comparable to a conventional fossil fuel powered car, with Honda’s FCX Clarity refuelling in under five minutes.

Thomas Brachmann, head of electrical powertrain R&D at Honda, commented: ‘Hydrogen fuel cell technology is the ultimate transport solution; meeting environmental demands but also delivering the range and performance that customers expect. The cooperation on this project between vehicle manufacturers like Honda, infrastructure providers like BOC and the public sector can be a blueprint for future development.’

Ian Piper, chief executive of Forward Swindon, added: ‘Forward Swindon was the initiator of this project and brought together the funding: it’s a great example of how innovative projects can come to life in the UK, even in a recession. Swindon’s strategic location makes it the natural home for new transport technologies, and I’m confident this facility will encourage a growing interest and take up.’

Mike Huggon, managing director of BOC in the UK and Ireland, said: ‘Even with private and public support – as we have here in Swindon – we need Government commitment to make this work across the country as a whole. We can provide the tools but the Government has to create the policy framework in which we can build the low carbon infrastructure of tomorrow.’