The 16-seater vehicle designed by experts at the University of Glamorgan near Pontypridd is powered by hydrogen.

It is hoped the project will put Wales "on the map" as a leader in developing environmentally-friendly technologies.

After being shown at an exhibition at London, the bus will be used to transport students between the campuses at the university.

Depending on how it is produced, hydrogen fuel is a clean, green source of power that can be easily stored.

The bus is powered by a cell which uses hydrogen as it fuel, cutting out the need for non-environmentally friendly fuels, the university said.

In the future, vehicles could be refuelled at hydrogen "filling stations", instead of conventional pumps.

The bus will be seen by over 5,000 people at the Tenth Grove Fuel Cell Symposium in Westminster, which showcases the progress being made in the UK's fuel cell industry.

Jonathan Williams, who researches the project at the university, said the exhibition would put Wales "on the map" as a leader in the field of developing non-carbon dioxide (CO2) technologies.

He said: "The work we are undertaking at Glamorgan is state of the art and we are looking forward to showcasing the minibus in an international arena.

Green technology

"We have ambitious plans for this technology and hope that the work done at Glamorgan will pave the way for further work in the development of hydrogen powered fuel cell technology."

The shell of the vehicle was converted into a mini bus by mid-Wales company Brecon Coachworks.

The project was funded by the Energy Saving Trust and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said the London event was an opportunity to illustrate the work being undertaken in Wales and the drive by the assembly government to encourage the development of alternative fuels and green technology.