The EU Competitiveness Council which took place in Brussels on the 25th May 2010 also notes that that hydrogen vehicles and electric vehicles are mutually complementary.

In addition, the conclusions stated that "while conventional vehicles powered by internal combustion engines will remain dominant in the short and medium term perspective, electric and, in the mid-term perspective, hydrogen vehicles are a highly promising ultra-low-carbon power-train technology, as they have the potential to:

• address the challenges of climate change and fossil fuel dependency;
• cut local air pollution and noise from transport and therefore contribute to improving the air quality, in particular in cities and urban zones;
• enable synergies with smart grids and therefore promote renewable sources of energy and offer a possibility of energy storage;
• offer an opportunity to revitalise the industrial fabric in Europe by fostering innovation, growth and jobs;
• offer, in particular if combined with electricity generated from safe and sustainable sources of energy, including renewables, a superior well-to-wheel energy efficiency and can therefore contribute significantly to the objective of transport decarbonisation
  

(Point 5 of the Conclusion)

To read the entire Conclusions of the EU Competitivenes Council, please go here.