Fuel Cell Bike

[bystander]

This news seems to be from July, but IGN has a new story from a couple of day ago.

http://media.ign.com/thumb/119/1197117/fuel-cell-bike--20050809113618543_thumb.jpg (http://carsmedia.ign.com/cars/image/article/640/640286/worlds-first-purpose-built-fuel-cell-bike--20050809044809867.jpg)

Here's the article:
http://cars.ign.com/articles/640/640286p1.html

Here's a two page media gallery with many photos (and a freaky ad):
http://media.cars.ign.com/articles/640/640286/imgs_1.html

Main ENV page (warning: flash enabled only):
http://www.envbike.com/

By late 2006, I will be able to respond to complete strangers who disapprove of the high price of a new HT with, "Well at least it's cheaper than those new fuel-cell bikes!"

Check out the "Core" section on the ENV site, they claim it will have 1kw capacity, plus up to 6kw for brief periods when combined with the battery. The I180 w/Saphion has 0.8 kw capacity, so if you could mount a "Core" on the lower side cargo bracket, you'd be covered (until the hydrogen ran out, at least).

[citivolus]

I like the concept but it looks like the industrial design guys got everything they wanted. I like the lines but too bad the foot pegs and stand look like an afterthought. Biggest complaint, the head on view looks like an insect trying to eat a wheel. To see what I mean the light colored bike on the right in this pic
http://media.cars.ign.com/articles/640/640286/img_2966910.html

It needs work, I can only assume they will add instrumentation at some point. The whole minimalist trend on instrumentation is getting rather distressing, especially when the dorks give you a gauge marked only with 'H' and 'L' at the end points and nothing else.

--
swiftly flying

[solarseg]

The 1 kw core will cost at least six grant, and you still need 99.9% pure hydrogen, meaning really expensive fuel. They should come out with a combustion hydrogen engine bike. The fuel does not need to be as pure, thus less expensive.