UK University Demonstrates ENV, World’s First Hydrogen Powered Motorbike

Earlier this week, a team of scientists at Loughborough University demonstrated the ENV, the world’s first ever hydrogen-powered motorbike (video).

Instead of a standard fuel tank, the ENV (short for Emissions Neutral Vehicle) contains an onboard fuel cell that can be filled with hydrogen in just three minutes. The cell then converts the hydrogen to electricity, enabling speeds of over 50 mph, and a range of 100 miles, with no emissions except warm air and water.

• » See also: Copenhagen Opens First Hydrogen Fueling Station, Unveils Fleet of Fuel Cell Cars
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According to project leader, Prof. Bob Thring, “we start with renewable electricity, which we put into an electrolyser, and split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell will combine the hydrogen and oxygen and use that energy to make electricity.”

The university already plans to create a fleet of hydrogen motorbikes for use around the university campus. Chris Colton of research partner Intelligent Energy (also behind the forthcoming Suzuki Crosscage fuel-cell concept) said the bikes are “fantastic to ride, if you can ride a pushbike you can essentially ride this motorcycle.”

Image Credit - Intelligent Energy

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