The BBC reports on the first international hydrogen-powered motorsport race, which took place in the Netherlands this weekend.

Teams from five countries competed against each other in a zero-emissions go-kart race, dubbed the Formula Zero Championship. The go-karts were powered by a fuel cell that produces electricity from hydrogen. And the green technology didn’t hurt performance- the Spanish team won the sprint race with a lap time of 36 seconds.

Greg Offer head of London's team, Imperial Racing Green, called the event an important step forward in racing. "In 10 years if the motorsport industry as a whole hasn't engaged in zero or low emission principles, it probably won't be around," said Offer. "Teams that embrace this new technology early on will succeed, and those that don't will fall by the wayside."

The race is expected to grow from go-karts to full-size cars as interest in the event increases. The next event will be held in the US in March.

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