ENV - Hydrogen Powered Bike

10 April, 2007 07:00:00

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Green vehicles are nothing new – the Prius and its kin have been quietly zipping along special commuter lanes for years – but engineers have largely dismissed an environmentally friendly two-wheeler as impractical. That was until Britain’s Intelligent Energy created the ENV, the first road-worthy hydrogen-powered motorcycle. The vehicle runs on a removable fuel cell, emits almost nothing, and will be street legal. The only drag? Top speed, for now, is 50 mph. Production versions go on sale later this year. Head out on the highway on this eco-machine.

ENV bike (for "emissions neutral vehicle" and pronounced "envy") is the world's first motorcycle built around a hydrogen fuel cell. It is, to date, the simplest and most innovative articulation of that technology's potential.

Indeed, the ENV is fast becoming one of hydrogen's most attractive and compelling ambassadors, even stealing the spotlight from major auto manufacturers' prototypes. Since its unveiling last spring, the bike has toured the globe, showcasing a compact and practical working hydrogen fuel cell.

The bike's body has an organic look.

Most cycles crank out a nasty cocktail of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from their tailpipes. The ENV’s only emission is pure H20, which, scientifically speaking, should be safe enough to drink.

The bike’s frame is built around a specially engineered fuel cell that uses a proton-exchange membrane to kick out 6 kW of peak-load power. What does that mean? Other vehicles eat your dust at stoplights (not a bad trade-off for the snaillike top speed).

Rather than the usual solid steel frame, the ENV is constructed of hollow-cast, aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs a mere 176 pounds, including its fuel cell – about half the heft of a typical.

Though the ENV is still a high-concept prototype, there's no technical reason why it can't be built today. Getting the cost right is the key. Given its simplicity and versatility, the ENV could do for hydrogen technology what the Prius did for gas-electric hybrids.

[source: envbike.com]

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Comments (3 posted):

Uncle B on 21 May, 2008 04:55:21

Now, get the manufacturer off their 'high horse' and mass produce a product that can compete with the famous Honda 50 and even better, replace it in the third world! North American markets buy this sort of product as a novelty item, manufacturers produce them for this high$ market. In place of your high falutin' stylish greenies toy, show us a practical 3 seater with luggage racks front and back and centre, show us durability, build mankind a practical workhorse, and get rich the way Mr. Honda did!

Jair on 26 May, 2008 04:57:30

Suzuki and Intelligent Energy, I'd like to put my name down first, as Suburban Urban Test Pilot for your Brilliant concept bike. Hollow, boing, why didn't I think of that. It's an exoskeleton. I supose it needs to be to contain the hydrogen at 10,000 psi. Anyway if you need some trial testing done in Suburban Newcastle Australia, I'm Your Man. Aluminium so it won't rust is great for me, in this salty coastal environment. I need one with roof racks for my Surfboard. Also it gets really Hot here in Summer, on the tar roads especially. Will it blow up, Kaboooom, between my legs? Ouch Hydrogen. I just want to know. Also, Why don't you make one that just drinks Hydrogen out of the air as it goes along. Even if it's a sipper, pushbike even. The faster it goes the more hydrogen it gets.If fish can breathe underwater it has got to be possible.Gills maybe?.But Okay, so I suppose there is hardly any hydrogen in the air, or some problem like that? Try a boat/Supersonic-submarine maybe. Someone will figure it out and it probably wont be me. Also only send me the bike if you promise I can keep it. I can make my own racks if necessary. I know it is harder than it looks, you guys rock.I am half joking, but I'm half serious too. Cars are too big.Why take a tonne of steel with you everywhere you go? It's very silly. Also with 600cc motor amplify the motor, stereophonically, and boost the bass algorythmically,and pump it through a woofer so the thing sounds like a purring V8. Squeak-squeak,meow-meow, woof-woof, (if you catch my drift). When it squeaks at 17,000revs you could dial it in to sound like a full-torque Rolls Royce, through the wonder of sound manipulation. Amp it up dudes. The sound of the motor is important to your average revhead don't forget. Quiet vehicles are inherantly dangerous. They need to make a sound, which communicates to other road users, what the engine is doing.

Larry Dighera on 16 June, 2008 08:25:34

ENV Videos:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news/video/77000/nb/77303_16x9_nb.asx
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news/video/77000/nb/77214_16x9_nb.asx

It seems that the manufacturer of this hydrogen-powered motorbike, Intelligent Energy, is the same company that teamed up with Boeing on the first ever manned flight of a fuel cell powered light aircraft: http://www.intelligent-energy.com/index_article.asp?SecID=8&secondlevel=25&artid=4001%20

Here is Intelligent Energy's blurb on the ENV Motorcycle:
http://www.intelligent-energy.com/index_article.asp?SecID=5&secondlevel=76&artid=3949
ENV – the world’s first purpose built hydrogen fuel cell powered
motorbike from Intelligent Energy

Powered by a 1kW Intelligent Energy fuel cell, the bike has a top
speed of 50mph and range of 100 miles on a tank of compressed
hydrogen. ...
http://www.intelligent-energy.com/index_article.asp?SecID=8&secondlevel=25&artid=3938

http://www.intelligent-energy.com/images/uploads/apr05_env_monaco.pdf
ENV technical specification and team credits
Key Components of the Bike Power System
Motor 6kW, 48 VDC Brush motor (model LEM-170, supplied by
LMC ltd)
Motor Controller Brusa Direct Current (model MD 206)
Fuel Cell 1kW Intelligent Energy air-cooled (2 x AC32-48)
Hydrogen Storage High pressure carbon composite cylinder (Luxfer
L65)
Hydrogen Energy 2.4kWeh
Storage Battery 4 x 12V Lead Acid (15Ahr) connected in series
Performance Data
Acceleration 0 – 20 mph in 4.3s (32kph)
0 – 30 mph in 7.3s (48 kph)
0 – 50 mph in 12.1s (80kph)
Top speed 50 mph (80kph)
(note: ENV has been tested to 50mph – however, with
further refinements and redevelopments, this top speed is
expected to be exceeded)
Range At least 100 miles (160km)
Physical
Bike mass 80 kg (Total mass including CORE)
Fuel
Hydrogen 99.9% purity
Oxygen Taken from air
Hydrogen refuel time less than 5 minutes
Interface
Electrical connection Multi-core (Intelligent Energy specific)
Design and Supplier Team
Client Intelligent Energy
Bike/Core Design Seymourpowell
Bike/Core Identity Pod Design
Frame & Swingarm Caress Precision Products ltd
Engineering & D.B.C. Tools ltd
Machining
Body Work Ogle Models and Prototypes ltd
Welding GP Motorsports UK ltd
Motor LMC ltd
Lighting Marl International ltd
Machinings JH Mays
Bicycle Parts DMR / Upgrade
Batteries PBQ Batteries

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ENV - Hydrogen Powered Bike

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