The two companies will trial the fuel in a fleet of 10 Toyota Avensis cars equipped with D-CAT emission reduction technology for three months in London.

Shell has high hopes for the success of gas to liquids (GTL) fuel, which it described as a clean, colourless and synthetic fuel, derived from gas.

"It is the most cost effective of alternative fuels, and its unique properties -- excellent combustion characteristics and virtually free of sulphur -- deliver significant emission benefits," the company said in a statement.

Shell said the trial would show that low-emission gas to liquids fuel could be used in modern diesel car engines, without any conversion or investment.

When used in advanced clean diesel vehicles, such as the Toyota D-CAT Avensis, emissions were "vastly improved" without sacrificing performance, it added.

The trial is part of a joint Toyota/Shell research programme developing new vehicle and fuel technologies.

TERRA.WIRE