With the new hydrogen mobility solutions being provided to the Tees Valley project, the new vehicles will contribute to the growing hydrogen hub programme in the region which could support the introduction and adoption of hydrogen in the area.

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As well as this, it will also provide a basis to integrate hydrogen further into the British economy and showcase to the rest of the nation the potential that hydrogen has.

Toyota is providing the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles for use by the region’s rapid response services, including Cleveland Police, NHS patient support as well as the Combined Authority, Anglo American and Stagecoach.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said, “The trial of these new vehicles and refuelling station is just one of many ground-breaking hydrogen initiatives taking place across Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington right now, to understand its potential and pave the way for the cleaner, safer and healthier industries of the future.

“By proving these vehicles are efficient, easy to use and safe in a wide range of applications, we’re putting our region at the forefront of the hydrogen revolution – while showing that our airport is about much more than flights to Alicante.”

James Clark, A spokesperson for Toyota (GB), said, “The provision of our Mirai hydrogen fuel cell cars and forklift from Toyota Material Handling to the Teesside Hydrogen Transport Hub is another step in the journey towards a hydrogen society.

“It’s great that they will be put to good use by support services, joining a growing range of industries and organisations that are already benefitting from zero-emission vehicles, and that can be speedily re-fuelled in just three minutes, with a driving range of approximately 300 miles.”