20 hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicles based on Passat Lingyu have passed tests and will go to Beijing for the Olympics service.

The 20 hydrogen cars are reportedly the first new energy vehicles permitted to go on the roads in China. All have covered the 300km safety test and have gone through other safety and endurance trials.

The hydrogen cars, based on Volkswagen Passat Lingyu, were manufactured by Shanghai Volkswagen on its latest fuel cell powertrain platform. The powertrains are supplied by Shanghai Fuel Cell Vehicle Powertrain Co., Ltd (SFCV), Tongji University and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

The vehicles will ply between Olympic sites. Sources said the hydrogen cars will provide courtesy services and inspection tours between Olympic stadiums. It is likely to see 500 hydrogen-engine cars in a green car fleet during the Beijing 2008 Olympics.