A Great Bike,
But Too Quiet !!! The world's first proper
hydrogen-powered bike could be fitted with an artificial "vroom"
because of worries its silence might be dangerous.
A prototype ENV was unveiled in London earlier this month.
A British firm unveiled plans
for the ENV - world's first purpose built fuel cell motorcycle ahead of any
of the leading automotive or bike companies.
The ENV bike is the creation of
Intelligent Energy, a British energy solutions company, is fully-functioning
and has been engineered around Intelligent Energy's world-beating CORE fuel
cell. The fuel cell is completely detachable from the bike, and is
claimed to be a radically compact and efficient fuel cell capable of
powering anything from a motorboat to a small domestic property!
The ENV motorcycle offers a glimpse of 'things to
come'. Intelligent Energy's CEO Harry Bradbury said, 'people will be able to
use a bike like ENV to leave work in an urban environment, drive to the
countryside, detach the CORE and attach it to another vehicle, such as a
motorboat, before going on to power a log cabin or caravan with the very
same fuel cell, which could then be re-charged from a mini hydrogen creator,
the size of a shoebox.'
But Yes, You
Just Can't Win... It's
true, manufacturers are actually working on fitting an artificial engine
sound!
Anti-noise campaigners said they welcomed the prospect
of a motorbike without the usual excruciating roar.
It has been suggested that a fake engine noise device,
which could be switched off, would help alert road users.
The motorbike, known as an Emissions Neutral Vehicle
(ENV), currently has a top speed of 50mph (80km/h), a range of at least 100
miles (160km) and can run continuously for four hours before the fuel cell
needs recharging.
Apparently its water-vapour emissions are so clean
that they are drinkable!
Mobile energy source
Dr Bradbury said the bike's detachable briefcase-size
cell filled with high pressure hydrogen, could eventually be used as a
mobile energy source, with the same cell used to power different objects.
The prospect of producing mobile hydrogen energy from a variety of sources,
including crops such as soya or sugar cane, could benefit remote communities
or developing countries, where large electric grids were not economically
viable.
This new ENV motorcycle is
lightweight, streamlined and aerodynamic.
Plus it boasts a performance that outreaches any existing electrical bike.
In an urban or off-road environment, it
can reach speeds of 50 mph. It is also virtually silent (with noise
emissions equivalent to an everyday home computer) and its emissions are
almost completely clean.
The current bike has no gears and is strictly
defined as a motorcycle, although it feels to riders more like a very quick
and responsive mountain bike. 'ENV is light, fast and fun', commented
Seymourpowell director Nick Talbot.
'It has good ground clearance, great
off-road suspension travel and a very carefully considered power to weight
ratio. I have ridden motorcycles for years', he added, ' and, in
the process of designing the bike, I have become a convert to fuel cell
technology. The bike is usable, useful and great-looking. It was
important on this project to demonstrate that new technologies don't have to
be wrapped up in a dull product – engaging public imagination and
enthusiasm is key.'
The Bikes Construction
The bike's primary frame and swinging arm are
made from hollow-cast aircraft grade Aluminium. At the bike's heart is
a fully-integrated 1kw fuel cell generator providing power on demand
directly to the drive-train.
To enhance performance during accelerating,
the fuel cell is hybridized with a battery pack to provide a 6kW peak load
to the motor. The result is a balanced hybrid concept which combines
the main advantages of the CORE fuel cell, hydrogen storage and battery
technology.
About the Fuel
Hydrogen 99.9% purity
Oxygen Taken from air
Hydrogen refuel time less than 5 minutes
Technology Facts
Fuel cells provide point of consumption
power generation, removing costs and power losses associated with the
transmission and distribution of electricity.
Fuel cells can be built to match demand
and are efficient at both small and larger scale.
Fuel cells have higher energy conversion
efficiencies than most other technologies: 45-55% of energy converted to
electricity.
(Petrol converts about 33%)
Fuel cells are easy to maintain as they
have no moving parts.
Fuel cells produce zero emissions if
hydrogen is used as a feedstock, and significantly reduced emissions if
hydrogen is produced from reformation of hydrocarbon feedstocks.
Fuel cells are modular, you can keep
adding cells like a sandwich up to whatever power you want!.
In the USA the government is so excited
about this type of power development, it has pledged to spend more than
£900m to help develop the technology and wants to see lots of hydrogen
fuel cell cars on US roads by 2015.
ZERO speeds up...
Of course their are other 'Electric' dirt
bikes out there and many are great fun (see video below), but none compare
in real world terms to the ENV development future.
The Zero-X is a lithium ion battery-powered off-road bike that can be had for about $6,900. Zero Motorcycles is claiming a range of 40 miles and three hour recharge time. The bike weighs in at a mere 120lbs which means quick acceleration and nimble handling. Zero is working on a road-going version of the bike with a longer range and all the lights and other gear necessary for road use. In the meantime if you're into moto-crossing and want to avoid the noise and fumes of a traditional bike you might want to check out the actual riding review that CNET did as well as a video.
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