Not only could fuel cell technology help to clean up the earth’s atmosphere, but it is providing a boost to the economy too.

The Volvo Group has teamed up with the Swedish Energy Agency and international corporations Midroc and OCAS to invest £15.7million into the development of fuel cells – a move that is expected to create around 100 new positions in the Gothenburg region over the next three years.

In an effort to accelerate the introduction of fuel cell cars to the market, the parties will make a joint investment of SEK 200million in Powercell Sweden AB. In the autumn the company will need to recruit around 60 people for an entirely new plant in the region.

The fuel cells will be charged with hydrogen gas, which is then converted into electricity, water and carbon dioxide (CO2) via a chemical reaction. Compared with normal diesel or petrol powered engines, fuel cells produce much less CO2 and no emissions at all of particulates and nitrogen oxides.

Powercell Sweden AB meanwhile, has two patented components – a fuel converter and a PEM fuel cell – this is the type of fuel cell used most frequently in transport applications. The converter meanwhile produces hydrogen gas from biofuels including ethanol, biogas, biodiesel, methanol and DME.