''A massive Research and Design (R&D) project is underway to use untapped force of hydrogen by using water as input in engine design,'' Mritunjay Singh, Vice-President of Volvo CE told reporters here.

He, however, refused to divulge the exact time frame of completion of 'Fuel Cell' research saying the R&D experts were on to the job for this ambitious rpoject.

Meanwhile, the company claimed to have used Bharat-stage II pollution norms technology in construction equipment engine by this year - ahead of government norms.

Earlier, the passenger and commercial vehicles were covered under the norms, but the construction equipment engines were out of the gambit. But now, the government has fixed year 2008 as the year for Bharat stage-II norms.

Singh was speaking on the occasion of formal launch of its EC140BLC hydraulic excavator in northern India with new dealer at Lucknow.

Volvo CE, with its headquaters at Banglore, had launched Hydraulic Excavators in 1998, followed by Motor Graders and Articulated Haulers in 1999, Wheel Loaders and Compact Wheel Loaders in 2003, used in construction and mining sector.

The EC140BLC Hydraulic Excavator has been claimed to be most fuel efficient and with very competitive price tag.

The company in India is playing a major role in many projects such as construction of the National Highway Development project  (NHDP).

Today, Volvo CE in India has nearly a 100 per cent market share in the Articulated Hauler segment and enjoys 10 per cent overall market share in various range of its products, according to the company VP.