NOVELTY - A composite material (C1) comprises a metal hydride, as matrix, and an alloy (A1) of zirconium and nickel at zirconium/nickel weight ratio of 20:80 to 60:40, as particles and/or secondary phases. The metal hydride is in the form of particles of micrometre size. (A1) is in the form of particles and/or as secondary phases with anometric and/or micrometric dimensions.    USE - As a composite material for hydrogen storage (claimed) in vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells or stations for storage of hydrogen as energy carrier for producing electricity during peak periods of consumption.    ADVANTAGE - The addition of alloy of zirconium and nickel as additive to magnesium hydride, provides a material that permits storage of hydrogen with very high rates of absorption and desorption, such as to permit applications compatible with the practical requirements for a vehicle, connected with the fuel loading time, times for vehicle starting, acceleration, though with a slight reduction of the maximum storage value, a parameter connected in practical applications with the autonomy of the vehicle.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following    (1) a method (M1) of preparing activated alloy (A1) of zirconium and nickel, selected from the alloys Zr36Ni64 and Zr50Ni50 (composition in atomic.%) and the intermetallic compounds Zr8Ni21, Zr7Ni10, Zr9Ni11 and ZrNi, from each alloy and/or compound involving charging a furnace with the metals Zr and Ni, (each with purity greater than or equal to 99.9 wt.%), at zirconium/nickel weight ratio between 20:80 to 60:40, and repeated melting, under an inert atmosphere, followed by intermediate cooling and, optionally, by a final heat treatment; activating the alloy to make it brittle, by means of cycles of absorption and desorption of hydrogen numbering between 2 and 6; cooling the embrittled alloy to room temperature; grinding the cooled embrittled alloy to obtain particles with size of 100 to 300 mu m; and    (2) a method (M2) of production of the composite material (C1) involving charging a mill with the metal hydride and the activated alloy (A1) of zirconium and nickel, prepared according to method (M1) and grinding the hydride and the alloy under an inert atmosphere for a few hours to some days.