The country is pioneering an initiative entitled HyNor, with the initial ambition of building five refuelling stations along the 360-mile route, which forms the backbone of its petroleum industry.

Despite being the third largest exporter of oil in the world, behind only Saudi Arabia and Russia, Norway is keen to commit to sustainable fuels in order to set an environmental precedent, cut down on transport emissions and combat climate change. "Road travel contributes substantially to the emissions of climate changing gases," remarked Helen Bjoernoey, the Norwegian environmental minister who was present at the ceremony outside the western port of Stavanger.

"Development of hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure for them are important to ensuring more environmentally friendly transport," she added.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water and heat, though are currently too expensive for commercial release. Certain government agencies and organisations lease the green prototypes from manufacturers.