THE future of motoring could be tested on local roads if a proposed trial of hydrogen-powered cars gets the go-ahead today (Wednesday), as expected.

Mid Wales-based manufacturer Riversimple is looking to run a 20-vehicle ‘real world’ test of its Rasa road-legal prototype with drivers from Monmouthshire and the surrounding areas.

Monmouthshire Coun­ty Council’s Cabinet is this afternoon expected to give the green light to the trial.

Between 60 and 80 drivers will run the hand-built cars for periods of three or six months – but they will have to sign up to Riversimple’s “sale of service” model.

For a fixed monthly fee and mileage allowance, the Llandrindod Wells-based company will cover all repair, maintenance, insurance and fuel expenses.

The trial would be open to private motorists and business users.

They would also have to put a data logger in their current cars to track their normal car use for three months before the trial.

The council is being asked to support the trial by making space available in a car park – either in Monmouth or Abergavenny – for 12 months with an option to extend it by a year if necessary.

The north of the county is favourite to host the trial because the 60mph vehicle is aimed at ‘local’ trips rather than long-distance motorway travel.

The company describes the Rasa as “possibly the most promising green car in the world.”

It can cover 300 miles on 1.5kgs of hydrogen, refills in five minutes and, unlike electric cars, would be comparable in price to a conventional vehicle.

The trial is being supported by a €2 million grant from the European Union.

The Rasa has been engineered by a highly-skilled team from some of the world’s most renowned carmakers, Formula One teams and aerospace engineering companies and styled by Chris Reitz, one of Europe’s leading car designers.

The two-seater weighs 580kgs (1,278lbs) – about half that of a conventional car – and emits only water which means it has the lowest carbon emissions of any vehicle.

If the trial is a success the Rasa could go into production in 2018 followed by vans and long-distance cars.

Riversimple founder Hugo Spowers said: “The Rasa engineering prototype marks another key milestone in bringing an affordable and highly-efficient hydrogen-powered car to market.

“We really have started from a clean sheet of paper.  

“The Rasa gives us the opportunity to introduce customers to a more convenient concept of motoring, a lightness of ownership that neither places a burden on the pockets of motorists or the surrounding environment.  

“The car is simple, light and fun in every respect.”