The government has announced £77 million of funding for new zero-emission vehicle projects.

It is hoped the projects will support more than 4,400 jobs across the UK over the next ten years.

The emergency services are set to benefit from new zero- emission vehicles, thanks to the HYER POWER project to develop a hydrogen fuel-cell range extender for specialist electric vehicles in demanding roles like ambulances and fire engines.

The funding has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative Research and Development programme. £38.4 million of the investment is from the government, and £38.7 million comes from the automobile industry.

Industry and Economic Security Minister Nusrat Ghani said: "Zero-emission cars, vans and taxis are increasingly common, but this cutting-edge work is going to mean clean, green vehicles designed and built in the UK can increasingly take on the toughest jobs too, from life-saving emergency services, to haulage and public transport.

"Our automotive industry keeps setting the pace globally and seizing the potential of new technologies. Today’s multi-million-pound boost will help them stay ahead of international competition, while delivering on our priority to grow the economy and support high-quality jobs."