World's First Purpose-Built Fuel Cell Motorbike Makes North American Debut
By PEB based on Press Release from Intelligent Energy
Jun 20, 2005
Environmentally Friendly, Whisper-Quiet Fuel Cell Motorbike Available to Consumers as Early as 2006
Intelligent Energy, a British energy-solutions company that is relocating to Los Angeles, has unveiled the world's first purpose-built fuel cell motorbike, ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle), at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. This sleek-looking, hydrogen-powered motorbike is the first designed specifically with fuel cell technology in mind. The result is an innovative motorbike that emits only water vapors, making it an almost silent and completely nonpolluting vehicle.
ENV, pronounced "envy," was engineered and purpose-built from the ground up, utilizing Intelligent Energy's world-renowned CORE, a radically compact and efficient fuel cell, in order to demonstrate the everyday applicability of fuel cell technology. The CORE is detachable from the bike and is capable of powering anything from an ATV or a personal watercraft, to a small home.
"The ENV offers an exhilarating glimpse of the clean-and-green lifestyle that can be achieved through fuel cell technology," said 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 recharged from a mini hydrogen creator the size of a shoebox."
The pre-production prototype ENV currently has a top speed of 50 mph and can be used for up to four hours before needing hydrogen "refueling." These performance figures are significantly better than those of the electric bikes currently available. Intelligent Energy created ENV as a light bike for everyday use by urban commuters and recreational off-road bikers alike: however, the fuel cell technology is inherently adaptable and can be used to produce a more powerful bike with performance and weight ratios analogous to traditional gasoline-powered motorcycles.
When it came to the ENV's design, Intelligent Energy collaborated with Britain's influential and innovative Seymourpowell. The 21-year-old, award-winning British design house has worked with many groundbreaking brands, such as Jaguar, BMW and Casio. The result of the Intelligent Energy/Seymourpowell collaboration is the streamlined, lightweight ENV, which comes in two monochromatic colors: Black Supergloss and Iridescent White.
"The ENV is light, fast and fun," said 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 motorbikes for years 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."
Public interest may also be heightened by another cutting-edge feature that differentiates the ENV from its counterparts: virtual silence. Unlike vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and their noisy exhaust systems, the only sounds emitted from the CORE are from its cooling fan and the tires meeting the road or track, making ENV an almost completely silent vehicle. ENV will come equipped with a warning bell or horn to warn pedestrians or other vehicles of its presence, although research indicates that visual signifiers such as lights are more important for road safety than noise alone.
"ENV offers rural and city dwellers a future free from air and noise pollution," commented Harry Bradbury. "And that's a really exciting thought."
Intelligent Energy is currently in discussions with motorcycle manufacturers about production and distribution, and expects to bring ENV to market in 2006, which would make it the first hydrogen fuel cell motorbike available to consumers. The company expects ENV to retail for around $6,000 at low volume production, with the price set to come down at higher production volumes.
"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 will be good for the consumer and the environment. This is a fun vehicle with a realistic role to play in the recreational 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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