Intelligent Energy’s ENV Fuel Cell Motorcycle
16 March 2005
Fuel Cell Today. Intelligent Energy unveiled its new ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle) prototype fuel-cell motorcycle yesterday in London.
The ENV bike is based around Intelligent Energy’s 1 kW CORE fuel cell. To improve performance during spikes in power demand (i.e., acceleration), the fuel cell is hybridized with a lead acid battery pack to provide 6kW peak load to the motor.
The CORE is completely detachable from the bike, and is capable of powering anything from a motorboat to a small domestic property.
The bike has a top speed of 50 mph and a projected range of at least 100 miles (160 km). Acceleration is leisurely: 0–30 mph in 7.3 seconds, 0–50 mph in 12.1 seconds.
The bike’s primary frame and swinging arm are made from hollow-cast aircraft grade aluminum.
Intelligent Energy formed in 2001 and set about acquiring three other companies that became the building blocks of its business. (Earlier post.) Those companies were:
- Advanced Power Sources, a UK PEM fuel cells research and development company
- Element One Enterprises, US-based hydrogen fuel experts
- MesoFuel, a New Mexico company that develops micro-devices for the conversion of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons into pure hydrogen for storage and use in PEM and other fuel cells.
On the PEM side, Intelligent Energy claimed to have a unique stack architecture that is simpler and thus easier to build, offering a range of power outputs.
Sounds like that’s what they have implemented in the ENV.
Honda has just begun selling its hydrogen fuel-cell scooter, as well as a gasoline-electric hybrid scooter, in Vietnam. (Car Buyer’s Notebook)
Hello there
I have just read your latest news regarding the ENV Hydrogen motorcycle. This is very encouraging to see clean efficient fuel cells powering this machine and the flexability is brilliant!
The speed does need to be increased to at least 70 mph to be really useful, but I know that you will be working on this, as well as increasing the power. Very encouraging to know that we don't have to rely on the rip-off pricing of fossil fuels, keep up the good work! Also, just a thought, if you could incorporate a hydrogen creator/generator within the machine, to actively use the existing by-product water to create its own hydrogen,it could be self-reliant, now that would be something and there would be no need for service stations! I am sure you are working on this right now! All the best!
Posted by: A.Foster | 12 April 2005 at 03:11 AM
Is this bike available.ENV.?
Posted by: Iqbal Khan | 26 May 2005 at 01:21 PM
What is the safety rating on this vehicle? What is the likelihood of the hydrogen fuel cell cumbusting during a collision? Are there any plans for the developement of a hydrogen powered car?
Posted by: Pel | 15 June 2005 at 11:31 PM
For further news & details on the ENV bikes, please visit the new ENV web site at:
http://www.envbike.com/
Regards,
Jeremy.
Posted by: Jeremy | 20 June 2005 at 03:31 AM
I am intrested on the env bike.I would like to know more on its working and theories of env bike
Posted by: brijesh | 27 July 2005 at 11:39 PM
Greetings,
Great idea but can I wiggerize the bike? Put on an obnoxious muffler or other offensive items? How about a spoiler?
Thanks,
Fred
Posted by: Fred | 04 August 2005 at 08:57 AM
Where can I purchase this product?
Posted by: sean | 02 September 2005 at 03:37 PM
It sould go on sale Q4 2006, and top speed should definitely be upped (possibly to 160km/h). Very prelim pricing is around 6000 $ U.S. --
Posted by: Biker | 07 October 2005 at 07:55 AM
Hello,
we would buy this bicycle and we beg you to send us the sale price lists for firms to
Georg Kurz Sale Ust-IdNr. DE 812119059
Ahornstr. 7
84494 Niedertaufkirchen
Thank you
Posted by: Georg Kurz Sale | 12 November 2005 at 03:23 AM
Will there be a US sales outlet for the envbike? Please contact me when it is available. Are their any articles on the Core as a stand alone power source for remote cabins?
Posted by: Dick | 25 November 2005 at 05:08 PM
Will there be a US sales outlet for the envbike? Please contact me when it is available. Are their any articles on the Core as a stand alone power source for remote cabins?
Is the generator available for remote cabin usage now?
Posted by: Jamee Jeffery | 21 December 2005 at 11:43 AM
Yes once i return to Hawaii to my main base from my deployment to Iraq I would die to buy the ENV bike... but dont know how... can anyone help me please?
sincerly
SPC HURD
US ARMY ENGINEER
Posted by: SPC Hurd, Beau | 06 November 2006 at 06:33 AM
I'd love to have one as much as any of the other posts, even though I'd probably fall off it in the first 30 seconds and break my foolish neck. At this time I am more curious about the technology than where to buy one. I think that this is still ripe, even now, for further tech improvements. Then I want to buy one!
So anyway my question(s) is/are:
1
Why do you use a chain drive from an electric motor in the frame of the bike? (lower center of gravity? construction less expensive?) I would think that a disk motor in the rear wheel would provide higher torque for better acceleration, be more efficient and reliable than a gear drive and also provide energy reclamation from braking to the battery for peak energy needs during acceleration. The aluminum frame could be used as a conductor. Kills two birds with one stone and probably saves weight to boot, though a bit esoteric.
2
Could a CVT, that would withstand the forces involved, be built small enough to fit inside the rear axle? Might help increase the top speed and increase overall efficiency.
I still want one!
Posted by: Joel Almon | 18 December 2006 at 02:29 AM
I would like info on the sales of this bike please. If possible mail to [email protected] - thanks.
Posted by: leno | 18 December 2006 at 02:59 PM
Hello! It's March 2007 already! Where is your product? How about a REAL availability date for a change?
Posted by: chainstrainer | 07 March 2007 at 12:05 AM
I signed up for news on availability on the ENV but have never received any correspondence or updates! What's the deal? ;)
Posted by: Rich Fan | 23 July 2007 at 01:46 AM
It's October 2007, I haven't seen this things around. I suppose it's never going to available for sale, is it?
Posted by: Katalina Jimenez | 20 October 2007 at 06:25 PM
LoL... May '08. When is this danged bike going to be released? It should have been YEARS ago. If i recall they showed it off in 05, at that time they said, 2 years. Well its been 3 and I dont see where i can get one.
Posted by: Omega | 19 May 2008 at 03:35 AM
The ENV isn't planned to be released. Intelligent Energy has partnered with Suzuki and, together, they are releasing the Crosscage. It uses the same CORE fuel cell, but the bike looks much different. I hope it is put into production soon...
Posted by: w | 14 September 2008 at 08:49 AM
This trully is the future of mankind!I very much want to get involved.
Posted by: robert | 10 November 2008 at 12:22 AM