ENV - The world's first purpose-built FC bike
Submitted by Intelligent Energy on 5 June, 2007 - 01:53
What if motorbikes were designed around portable fuel cells
This could be the most important new motorcycle ever
- MCN
The ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle or "envy") has a 100 mile range, can be refuelled in just 3 mins and has a removable fuel cell which can be used to provide electrical power for other things.
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 are not economically viable.
- Intelligent Energy
A few obstacles still to be overcome before we can buy one though. The world's first silent bike with compressed hydrogen fuel takes time to get EU regulatory approval. Knowledge gained from the development of the ENV has been applied to the development of the Suzuki Crosscage concept, whose name derives from the "cage" frame around the hydrogen fuel tank in the centre of the bike.
Anti noise campaigners would welcome the prospect of a silent motorcycle, but the developers did consider adding an artificial "vroom" button, however:
The ENV will have headlights, a horn, signals, high-performance brakes - all the components that make modern vehicles safe. Naturally, when it appears on the streets for the first time people will find it an arresting site, but we don’t anticipate its quiet performance leading to any increased safety issues.
- Intelligent Energy
