Fuel Cell Motorbike to Enter US Market

ENV (pronounced "envy"), short for Emissions Neutral Vehicle is a silent, non-polluting fuel cell-powered motorcycle developed by the UK company Intelligent Energy that is set to hit the streets in the US by the end of 2006.

ENV is the world’s first purpose-built, fuel-cell motorcycle, with a top speed of 50 miles an hour (80 kilometers an hour) and a range of 100 miles (160 kilometers) or up to four hours on a tank of compressed hydrogen. A fill-up costs about four dollars (U.S.).

The bike was built around Intelligent Energy’s compact and efficient CORE fuel cell, which is completely detachable and therefore, potentially multi-functional. According to Intelligent Energy CEO, Harry Bradbury, ‘In the none-too-distant future 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 with the very same fuel cell, which could then be re-charged from a mini hydrogen creator, the size of a shoebox.

Development of the project is a boost for those putting faith in the dream that a hydrogen economy can, with the right political and economic support, become a tangible, near-future reality for the world’s energy consumers.

"We wanted to show how good the technology is right now and basically build what we thought would be a technical example, albeit an example that's wonderful and stimulates interest," said Andy Eggleston, ENV project director. “Since its unveiling earlier this year, the ENV has generated enormous interest—proof that the public is ready to embrace fuel cell technology,�EEggleston said.

Award-winning designers Seymourpowell provided the sleek shape and the bike is virtually silent, with noise emissions equivalent to an everyday home computer.

Intelligent Energy plans to sell the motorbike for between U.S. -8,000, and the company believes the ENV will appeal to both urban commuters and recreational riders.

LINK:
Intelligent Energy