BRUSSELS, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission adopted two proposals Wednesday to encourage the development and marketing of clean and safe hydrogen cars.

    The first proposal is to set up the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative, an ambitious industry-led program of research, technology development and demonstration activities.

    This public-private partnership driven by Europe's industry will come to life over the next six years with a financial contribution from the EU of 470 million euros (660 million U.S. dollars), to be matched by the private sector.

    The initiative should accelerate the development of hydrogen technologies to the point of commercial take-off between 2010 and 2020, said the commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU).

    The commission's second proposal to simplify the approval of hydrogen cars so that they will be seen more often on Europe's streets.

    Today, hydrogen vehicles are not included in the EU vehicle type-approval system. This results in complicated and costly approval procedures and hinders vehicles being placed on the market on a uniform basis throughout the EU.

    The commission's proposal will introduce these vehicles into the type-approval framework. Furthermore, hydrogen has different characteristics from conventional fuels. The proposal will guarantee that all hydrogen vehicles put on the market in the EU are at least as safe as conventional vehicles.

    "The introduction of hydrogen vehicles has the potential to make Europe's air cleaner and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels. Setting common standards will support the introduction of these vehicles and ensure high safety for citizens. It will also boost the competitiveness of European manufacturers," said European Commission Vice President Gunter Verheugen, who is responsible for enterprise and industry.

    EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik said, "Europe is facing major challenges to secure its energy supply, while combating climate change, preserving the environment and maintaining a competitive economy. Technologies such as fuel cells and hydrogen can help us tick all the boxes."

    Both proposals will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, the two decision-making bodies of the EU.

    Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier. When used as fuel either in combustion motors or in fuel-cell systems, it does not produce anycarbon emissions -- carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, unburnt hydrocarbons or particulates.

    Nevertheless, although no greenhouse gases are produced from hydrogen-powered motor vehicles, care will have to be taken to ensure the production of hydrogen itself does not lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions.