The Riversimple concept car, developed in an Oxfordshire workshop by former racing driver Hugo Spowers, aims to challenge the obstacles that have so far prevented a hydrogen-powered vehicle breaking into the mass market.
The hydrogen cells that drive the electric motors are very light, meaning the two-seater car weighs just 350kg, considerably less than its rivals.
The bodywork is similiar to the carbon fibre used by F1 teams, while the brakes save the energy they create rather than wasting it, so that it can be used for the next acceleration.
So who would buy it? Well, nobody - as these vehicles are designed to be leased to users for around 200 pounds ($A4010) a month rather than purchased.
For drivers willing to rent the Riversimple, the familiar problem of where to fill up could still be an issue, even though the vehicle can travel over 200 miles without refuelling.
Pilot projects can be found working in California and some parts of Scandinavia, but there are just a handful of refuelling stops scattered around the UK.
The makers of Riversimple say they would like first to inspire a small UK city to become a hydrogen hub serving around 50 pilot vehicles.
The next town could then be joined to the hub, thus creating a growing network.
Convincing people to get behind the wheel of what looks like a quirky Batmobile is only part of the challenge.
