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German vehicle manufacturer BMW has launched its first hydrogen-drive luxury car, to be built across Europe in 2007.

This marks a dramatic move by the company to make a luxury, environmentally friendly form of automotive transport. Hydrogen technology minimises the emission of carbon dioxide.

The car runs on a dual-fuel supply, meaning that it can either be powered entirely from petrol, or it can run exclusively on hydrogen.

In addition, unlike traditional cars which run on fossil fuels, a hydrogen-drive car like BMW's can essentially keep running, as there is virtually an infinite supply of hydrogen.

With all of the eco-friendly cars, drivers would normally expect the speed to be somewhat hampered by the green fuel used in the cars, but not so with the BMW Hydrogen 7.

Its top speed is an impressive 143mph and its acceleration isn't bad either reaching 62.1mph in 9.5 seconds with a 260bhp twelve cylinder engine.

Only an exclusive 100 owners-to-be can expect one of these revolutionary vehicles and BMW is keeping its cards close to its chest with regard to the expected price tag attached to the performance car.

It is however, a remarkable sign of progression in an industry which is slowly coming around to the idea of 'going green'. Motorists are being encouraged to switch to greener forms of vehicles, including offering incentives on motorists' car insurance.