American automaker, Ford Motor (NYSE: F) announced Monday that the company will test a small fleet of prototype hydrogen fuel-cell versions of its electric E-Transit model in the UK to see if they are a workable zero-emission option for customers hauling heavy goods long distances.

Ford will lead a small consortium in the three-year project that includes BP (NYSE: BP), which will focus on hydrogen and infrastructure, and Ocado, a British online supermarket and technology group.

"Ford believes that the primary application of fuel cells could be in its largest, heaviest commercial vehicles to ensure they are emission-free, while satisfying the high daily energy requirements our customers demand," Ford's UK chairman Tim Slatter said in a statement.

While most of the world's combustion engine cars should be replaced by battery electric vehicles (BEVs) over the next two decades, hydrogen fuel-cell proponents and some long-haul fleet operators say batteries are too heavy, take too long to charge and could overload power grids.

However, vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells can refuel in minutes and have a much longer range than BEVs.

The project is partially funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre, a government and auto industry venture.

Shares of F and BP are down 0.58% and 1% respectively in pre-market trading on Tuesday.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]