A Ford Focus hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) was driven by HRH the Prince of Wales at Hampton Court Palace, ahead of Tuesday??™s first Brighton to London eco rally on World Environment Day.

Prince Charles reviewed a selection of the vehicles taking part in the rally and then drove the Ford Focus FCV up the main driveway to park in front of Hampton Court Palace.

This event was the official flag raiser for the rally, which followed in reverse the route of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The objective of the rally was to bring tomorrow's alternative fuel technologies to the capital.

Participants in the rally assembled in Madeira Drive in Brighton on June 5 with Ford represented by future and current models that are leading the auto industry towards reduced carbon emissions.

Two hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) were the centrepiece of the blue oval's line up: the Ford Focus FCV and a Ford Explorer FCV, which had its European debut on the event. Accompanying the advanced-technology FCV models were Ford Focus Flexifuel cars, representing low-carbon models that are on sale now.

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