Intelligent Energy shows the ENV fuel-cell motorcycle prototype

The design of the CORE

"When it came to designing the casing for the CORE", commented Seymourpowell's Nick Talbot, "we treated it as a standalone project, giving this radical fuel cell its due as a beautiful, valuable and useful energy resource.

The CORE, which can be detached completely from the bike, is therefore designed to create interest as an enigmatic object. Although mostly encased in identical aluminium to the bike, of which it at first seems a completely integral part, the CORE is also part-covered on one plane in a microetched, textured and durable shell, in a pattern derived from brain coral.

The pattern alludes to the fact that this is solid state technology - but is also functional, in that the intricate patterns also disperse heat. We wanted this to be a finer and more beautiful object than, say, a diesel generator - and to make people look again at this new technology with a sense of wonder."

ENV is a complete pre-production prototype motorbike, just as the 50kW powered light aircraft, developed by Intelligent Energy for partner Boeing was similarly a complete prototype in 2004. Both vehicles demonstrate that Intelligent Energy's advanced fuel cells are completely ready for application to real vehicles in the here and now - as well as many exciting new vehicles in the future.

Two- and four-wheeled vehicles using 5kW and 10kW power are realistic next-step developments, for example, whilst Intelligent Energy's Measure bar new 75kW fuel cell is the most compact cell around currently and the only one capable of starting in freezing conditions with no assistance.

"The launch of ENV breaks new ground and opens up a whole new field of opportunities for low- and high-power fuel cell motorbikes,"commented Harry Bradbury. "ENV and its successors are good for the consumer and the environment. This is a fun vehicle with a realistic role to play in the leisure environment, as well as a role in emissions reduction from Boston to Bangkok. There has been much talk about low-carbon emission vehicles. Here is one at last."

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