Suzuki Shows Air-Cooled Fuel Cell Motorcycle and “People-Centered” Transport Device
26 October 2007
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| The crosscage. |
Among the concept vehicles Suzuki is introducing at the Tokyo Motor Show are the “crosscage”, an air-cooled fuel cell motorcycle, and a new people-centered vehicle concept based on the combination of a one-person low-speed transport device (PIXY) and a minicar-based mobility unit (Suzuki Sharing Coach, SSC).
The crosscage takes its name from a cross-shaped frame cage protecting the hydrogen storage tank, above which is the fuel cell from Intelligent Energy in the UK, and below which is a lithium-ion battery. Suzuki announced a development partnership with Intelligent Energy earlier this year. (Earlier post.)
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| Layout of the crosscage components. Click to enlarge. |
Intelligent Energy’s PEM fuel cell designs combine novel fluid and thermal management techniques with the use of thin metallic bipolar plates, resulting in a simpler stack that is easier to manufacture. Integrated humidification and cooling reduces component count, eliminating conventional balance of plant, resulting in a smaller and more reliable system. The Intelligent Energy stacks offer a power to volume performance in excess of 2.5 kW per liter.
In 2005, Intelligent Energy unveiled the ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle) purpose-built fuel-cell motorbike.
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| PIXY and SSC |
Suzuki’s new people-centred vehicle concept it calls “Sustainable Mobility” combines the one-person low-speed transport device called the PIXY and a minicar-based mobility unit called the SSC, which forms an automobile when the PIXY is paired with it.
One SSC can hold a maximum of two PIXYs. To accommodate other lifestyle situations, the PIXY can also be paired with a sports-car unit called the SSF and with a boat unit called the SSJ.
Surprising, since a motorcycle is designed for low-cost and simplicity can simply use battery electricity to avoid all the complexity of a fuel cell setup. The smaller battery of a motorcycle can be rapidly charged within 5-6 minutes using grid 220-330 volt, 100 amp lines, for a 2 kwh battery.
For the speed-oriented motor cycle enthusiasts, the BEV setup will give a lot faster acceleration, although you will still need a loud speaker to simulate all the throaty or grunty noise. Depending on your mood, you can drive a Harley one day and a Kawasaki Ninja the next. May be the inverter can be programmed to reproduce the uneven firing order of the 45-degree Harley V-twin, as well as different "unbalancing shafts" to simulate the vibration of the V-twin Harley one day, vs another unbalancing shaft to simulate the finer vibration of the in-line 4 of the Ninja the next. Face it, the noise and vibration of a motorcycle is half the fun in riding it.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 26 October 2007 at 10:29 AM
IMO the battery will have the advantage just as Roger said.
This particular project probably tells us Suzuki engineering has too much money in their budget. But it sure be pretty.
I have long felt H2 faces too many problems to become common. That feeling hasn't changed. But there is more H2 progress than I expected while Li-ion has lagged behind my guesses.
High end motorcycles might be a niche for FC. The best bikes already cost a lot. There is a small but real market with money if the machine is right.
And the wealthy can better endure the inconvenience of obtaining H2.
Posted by: K | 26 October 2007 at 11:21 AM
Why not use a small serial plug in hybrid - a small petrol engine to recharge a medium sized battery and give extended range - while using battery power in town.
You might well need the speaker, though.
Don't want to go sneaking up on people at 60 mph!
I think Li battery power could work very well for 2 wheeled vehicles - e-bikes, e-scooters and e-motorcycles.
The only real problem is safety, put perhaps people will trade the wind in the hair (well- helmet) experience for safety.
Posted by: mahonj | 26 October 2007 at 01:54 PM
Battery powered motorcycles. What a great idea.
Even better than that fill the batteries with solar power. My bike now has over 1800 miles of trouble free commuting. www.zevutah.com
Posted by: zevutah | 26 October 2007 at 08:28 PM
It would be good if Suzuki would sell the bike without the fuel cell and associated gear and let people use it as a base for building e-bikes.
If you had a standard model to work from, you could hold competitions and exchange ideas, experience and parts.
Much like people are home converting the prius.
Posted by: mahonj | 27 October 2007 at 03:33 AM