WASHINGTON, Nov 11: Motorists in Washington will be able to say "fill it with hydrogen" at a service station opening Wednesday, although analysts say large-scale use of fuel cell vehicles will take years.

Oil giant Shell said it opened the first hydrogen dispenser at a retail gasoline station to service a fleet of six fuel cell vehicles from General Motors.

The Washington station, offering compressed and liquid hydrogen, is a collaborative effort between Shell and GM to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and refuelling infrastructure technology.

"Today marks the next major step in Shell Hydrogen's effort to make a substantial advance and move research further into reality," said Jeremy Bentham, chief executive officer of Shell Hydrogen.

"The Benning Road station in Washington, DC represents a real-world urban-driving scenario to demonstrate hydrogen cars and refuelling."-AFP