Locals in Abergavenny could be the first to trial a world-first hydrogen car, if a Welsh Government project is given the go-ahead.

Developers of the ‘Rasa’ have approached Monmouthshire County Council to push a 12-month trial which could see 20 of the hand-built cars handed to drivers in Monmouthshire.

The groundbreaking vehicles can travel 300 miles on one five minute refill, and at ‘no cost premium’, according to Powys-based developers Riversimple.

A cabinet meeting next week could confirm the trial, and hand up to 80 drivers test-drive contracts ranging between three and six months.

The Rasa, which is a Latin nod to ‘Tabula Rasa’ meaning ‘clean slate’, is billed as the future of clean motoring.

The company says their 60mph vehicle is the ‘cleanest and most energy-efficient car yet offered for ordinary road-going use’. The only emission, the company claims, being a teaspoon of water.

"The Monmouth and Riversimple partnership can bring a momentous change in the way mobility is delivered in a sustainable way.

"This trial is the first-of-its-kind in the UK and will be of global interest to the world,” said the report.

Monmouthshire is said to be an ideal testing ground due to the short distances between towns, and with roads perfect for the vehicles’ max speed of 60mph.

If plans are given the go-ahead, a self-service mobile refuelling point will be installed in one of the council car parks at Abergavenny or Monmouth.

The council is also recommended giving the go-ahead to provide secure parking for up to 20 vehicles at Raglan depot.

Riversimple will incur costs of supplying the cars, covering their running costs, the temporary building of an ‘experience centre’ and customer relations.

Riversimple was awarded a £2 million grant from the Welsh Government in 2015 to develop the Rasa as well as an EU grant of €2 million.