Pininfarina's eco race car runs on hydrogen (pictures)

The HT Speed represents a collaboration between Italian design company Pininfarina and GreenGT, a Swiss company developing hydrogen fuel cell drive systems with high levels of performance.

As a fuel cell-powered car, the HT Speed uses electric drive motors that get electricity from a fuel cell fed from a hydrogen tank.

Long and low, the H2 Speed resembles a Le Mans racing car.

With 6.1 kilograms (13.4 pounds) of hydrogen stored onboard, the H2 Speed comes to a total weight of 3,130 pounds. Refueling the hydrogen tanks takes 3 minutes, according to Pininfarina.

With two electric motors driving the wheels, making about 500 horsepower, the H2 Speed does away with a standard driveshaft or transmission.

The fuel cell process combines hydrogen and oxygen, generating electricity and releasing water as the waste product.

The carbon fiber structure of the H2 Speed mimics that of racing cars, and Pininfarina describes it as "halfway between a racing prototype and a production supercar".

Water emitted from hydrogen fuel cell cars typically emerges in small quantities in vaporous form.

Beyond the hydrogen fuel cell system, the H2 Speed underwent aerodynamic development to help its performance.

Pininfarina claims the car has already undergone track testing.

Air sucked in through the intakes feeds the fuel cell stack.

An onboard compressor, part of the fuel cell system, makes the only noticeable sound from the drive system.

With its fuel cell drive system, the H2 Speed makes it to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and hits a top speed of 186 mph.