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World's First Fuel-Cell Motorcycle

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the still-no-fuel-cell-laptop dept.

Alex writes "Rubber Magazine reports that the British company Intelligent Energy has unveiled today the first purpose-built, fuel-cell motorbike. The bike has a 6kW (8 hp) electric motor, top speed of 50 mph (80kph), a range of 100 miles (160km). The engine is completely silent, which might not go well with many motorcycle lovers. In addition it could also possibly pose an interesting safety issue, since a pedestrian or motorist would not hear it coming."

6 of 481 comments (clear)

  1. moto myths by tedtimmons · · Score: 5, Informative

    Myths:
    • Not all motorcycles are made by Harley.
    • Not all motorcycles are cruisers or sportbikes.
    • Not all motorcyclists like loud pipes.
    -ted, motorcycling geek
    1. Re:moto myths by temojen · · Score: 3, Informative

      here you go

  2. As a motorcycle owner by bruciferofbrm · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have always wanted a quiter bike. I do not like the loud 'like at me' rumble (which may exceed legal limits in many places) that some riders seem to like.

    Now my 250cc Rebel (my firts bike) puts out 15 HP. So, an 8 HP bike might be a bit weeny for highway cruising, but this sounds like a great city bike.

    In terms of noise again, bicycles and even Segways make no (or very little) noise. Its not the pedestrian who has an issue. Its the driver.

    If its licensed like a standard Gas powered bike, then the driver knows the rules on riding and should not be endangering anyone.

    I applaud this and all the other cool alternative fuel bikes. My little bike gets 70 mpg, and my biggest get 35 mpg. Not bad compared to most cars people actually drive, but they still add to the pollutiuon level none the less.

  3. Re:Meh by agm · · Score: 3, Informative

    Depends on the bike. Neither of mine are particularly fuel efficient. My VL1500 gets about 170km to 13 liters, and my DR-Z400 gets about 100km to 11 litres.

  4. Another Fool Cell by CasaDelGato · · Score: 3, Informative

    Wow, a Fuel Cell ($$$$) bike that has almost caught up with a pure Electric vehicle. Except that it's top speed is lower, it costs more to build, and is far more difficult to refuel. Yup, Fuel Cells are the future! The only reason Fuel Cells are being pushed so hard is that they retain the Big Company infrastructure needed to use them. You will need a large distribution network if you want to refuel lots of cars, AND you will need to produce all that hyrdrogen - which will likely be made from oil. EV's can do it now at lower cost than Fool Cells, but for some reason are being ignored. (Or actively discouraged - like GM crushing the quite nice EV1's.)

    1. Re:Another Fool Cell by CasaDelGato · · Score: 3, Informative

      Sorry, power plants have MUCH better exhaust scrubbers than cars do. I'm not near my references right now, but last I checked, the Well-to-Wheel efficiency of an EV was around 70mpg. Of course the Fool Cell vehicle will be considerably worse - which is what we are comparing to here - not ICE cars. Plus, there ARE other sources of electricity than oil. Admittedly, you do have to get used to a quiet vehicle and not changing the oil, and not stopping at gas stations.