An Irvine fuel systems firm has received approval in Europe to sell a pressurized fuel tank that will extend the driving range of experimental hydrogen-powered cars.

The carbon fiber and epoxy tank from Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. will give a 60% boost in range to hydrogen-using fuel-cell cars being developed by a variety of automakers and hailed by President Bush as the zero-emission, oil-independent passenger vehicles of the future.

General Motors Corp., which holds a 19.9% interest in Quantum, will announce today that it has installed the first of the company's new tanks on its HydroGen3 fuel-cell car in Europe. Quantum is believed to be about a year ahead of competitors in developing a lightweight composite tank that can handle hydrogen gas compressed to 10,000 pounds per square inch.