BURBANK, Calif. — BMW is once again turning to Hollywood to help convince American consumers of the viability of vehicles powered by environmentally friendly hydrogen. On Monday, it delivered a BMW Hydrogen 7 to Jay Leno, the host of The Tonight Show, who has become one of the country's leading advocates of green automotive technology.

"By harnessing the power and influence of individuals who, like Leno, are at the forefront of their respective disciplines, BMW hopes to continue to generate support of hydrogen-drive vehicles in the short term and stimulate demand for a viable hydrogen infrastructure in the long term," BMW said in a statement.

Leno's hydrogen-powered luxury sedan is described as a "production model vehicle" and, underlining the point, BMW says, "not a concept car." It has "successfully completed the entire product development process," BMW said. "While the BMW Hydrogen 7 is not for sale, it is considered to be a milestone in bringing forward hydrogen as the sustainable fuel for individual transportation." The vehicle emits only water vapor, dramatically reducing CO2 emissions.

Leno's acquisition of the Hydrogen 7 is the most recent step in BMW's carefully crafted marketing campaign promoting the hydrogen-powered vehicle. The Hydrogen 7 was photographed earlier this summer on the launch pad next to the space shuttle Endeavour, following a test-drive of the vehicle by NASA personnel.

BMW has shuttled a long roll call of stars in and out of the Hydrogen 7, including actor Will Ferrell, Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Davis Guggenheim, the Oscar-winning producer of An Inconvenient Truth. BMW apparently is carefully selecting Hollywood talent to tout its Hydrogen 7, steering well clear of more controversial and troubled celebrities such as Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton.

Unlike these short-time testers, Leno in effect is being given the car as a long-term test-drive vehicle. He is seen as an excellent spokesman for BMW's hydrogen effort since he has constructed a "green garage" that uses what BMW describes as "giant steam and natural gas engines from the 19th century to effectively reduce his energy needs — transforming his garage into a self-sufficient power station."

What this means to you: Get ready for lots of paparazzi shots of Leno and his latest green ride — and probably frequent mentions of the Hydrogen 7 in his Tonight Show monologues.