Intelligent Energy shows the ENV fuel-cell motorcycle prototype

A British company has released details of what it claims is the world's first purpose-built, fuel-cell motorbike. The Emissions Neutral Vehicle is dubbed ENV, pronounced "en vee" and is the creation of British energy solutions company Intelligent Energy. Powered by a 6kW 48 volt motor and with energy supplied from Intelligent Energy's 1kW hydrogen fuel cell, the ENV is currently capable of 50mph (80kmh) and is still under development - by the time the bike reaches market (no time frame yet), it can be expected it will reach most speed limits and exceed its current range of 100 miles (160 kilometres). The ENV weighs just 80 kilograms, has disc brakes and a belt drive and will face some very tough competition in the fuel cell two-wheel market as it evolves over the next few years.

To enhance performance during peak power demand (ie when accelerating), the fuel cell is hybridised with a battery pack to provide a 6kW peak load to the motor.

The company claims the bike is one of the first designed from scratch as a fuel cell motorcycle rather than being adapted from an existing design. The company's press release claims "In the worldwide rush by the biggest names in the automotive and bike industry to bring hydrogen-powered vehicles to market, the hastily-assembled handful of prototypes and public launches to date have mostly (with the exception of Honda's recent fuel-cell scooter) paraded existing models, superficially adapted to fuel cell use."

While we think the ENV is very promising and indeed, an inspirational design, the company appears to have overlooked some very significant fuel cell two wheelers such as Yamaha's Clean and Silent two-wheelers of the future shown at the 2003 Tokyo Show, Aprilia's fuel cell variant of its sensational ENJOY that an authority no less than Time Magazine named Invention of the year in 2001 and Vectrix's second generation fuel cell / electric hybrid maxi-scooter.

Yamaha's Dolsa Wind

Yamaha's 'Dolsa Wind' looks like a bicycle without pedals - its motive force comes from a 300w electrical motor but the most remarkable aspect of the Dolsa Wind is that it is designed to enhance the soundless electrical riding experience with musical accompaniment. Yamaha says it is based on the concept of "Riding Music", a ride that summons up the combined images of the unique feeling of riding on the wind and the enriching experience of playing a musical instrument.

Aprilia Fuel Cell Enjoy and Atlantic Zero Emission prototypes

Aprilia's electric-assisted Enjoy is one of the finest two wheelers we've ever tested. You can read our impressions here - originally designed as an electric assist bicycle, the company showed a fuel-cell version in 2001 and Time magazine was so impressed it awarded the machine Invention of the Year. Aprilia continues to work at the forefront of fuel-cell and innovative transport technologies (in addition to producing wickedly fast racing motorcycles) and last year showed a fuel cell prototype dubbed the Atlantic Zero Emission - powered by a high performance 6kW electric engine and equipped with a hydrogen system,without heavy additional ancillary equipment such as air compressors, humidifiers and coolers. Shown at Hannover 2004, the Atlantic Zero Emission is capable of covering over 150 km of urban territory before refuelling.

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