The Future of Motorcycling is... Hydrogen and Electric Powered?
For naysayers who complain that today's 45 mile per gallon motorcycles ought to be way more fuel efficient than cars, a British company called Intelligent Energy has made a bold attempt to reinvent the future of two-wheeled transport.
The development of their ENV bike (pronounced "envy") has experienced countless ups and downs, but Intelligent Energy's plans include the goal of developing a hydrogen distribution structure in order to make the ambitious bike commercially viable. The machine, which was built with over 300 man-years of development, uses a 7-horsepower electric motor for acceleration which works in conjuction with a 1.5 horsepower fuel cell for cruising.
High end mountain bike components keep weight down, while a small briefcase-style removable unit called a Core stores hydrogen, which trickle charges the electric battery when not powering the bike. The ENV can hit around 50 mph, and its cruising range is about 100 miles (or roughly 4 hours of riding.)
Will the ENV take off or flounder? Check out our photo gallery here, and be sure to post your comments on this vision of the future.
Photo © Intelligent Energy
Comments
This is an absolute winner in style and if it can do what it is supposed to do, I am sure it will become a hot product here in the U.S.
I don’t disagree about the ENV’s style. I just hope such bold concepts can fend for themselves in this very demanding marketplace.
Time will tell…
I find this bike spectacular,but at present I ride a Haro mountian bike with a small 35 cc Ronin 4 stroke belt drive,the engine kit adds 15.5 pounds and I get 45 mph on a good day,and I have approximated nearly 200 miles per gallon.I love my bike,and every where I go people stop me to say “wow ,what is that?and where can I get one?”I live in Lansing Michigan,U.S.A.,which is a college town and students here want somthing like what you have and what I have,I would like to be a test rider and a street sales person ,just by letting it be seen,I sell a couple bike engine kits a week for the guy I bought my kit from.I can do the same for you…Thanks Douglas Markham.