by Leonard Konis

Created on: December 16, 2006   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

In March 2004, the first built prototype hydrogen powered Motor was unveiled, in London Design Museum, and cost more than $8,300. The hydrogen - powered two wheeler will be sold in North America, by the end of 2006. Expected retail price between $6,000 - $8,000, and production about 10,000. The bike is the creation of Intelligent Energy, and British Energy Solutions Company. Intelligent Energy recruited Nick Talbot award winning team Seymourpowell to design the bike.

The Emission Neutral Vehicle (ENV) or 'fuel cell' bike - compressed hydrogen gas, designed by Intelligent Energy. The ENV is lightweight, and aerodynamically built. Bike can reach a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour, water - vapor emissions are clean, driven up to four hours without any refueling or 100 miles. Hydrogen is most abundant element, in the universe, and found in fossil fuels, plant material, and water. Intelligent Energy is currently developing devices, called reformers that will extract hydrogen, from biodesel fuels (made from vegetable oils, and animal fats), and ethanol (made from grain and corn). The reformers eventually sell for $1,500, and could produce enough hydrogen to fill up an ENV, about twenty-five cents per tank. The fuel cell separates the hydrogen atom into protons, and electrons. The electrons are then collected forming an electric current, to power the motor. The protons combine oxygen, in the air that flows through the fuel cell, and is expelled, as water vapor. The electricity produced by the fuel cell, is directed to a stack of batteries, and an electric motor, which provides propulsive power. Hydrogen - motorcycle throttle, is directly linked to the applied power, and has no gears. The ENV is produced in two monochromatic colors: Black supergloss, and iridescent white. Frame of the bike made of hollow - cast aircraft grade Aluminum. The bike is designed for both off - road and street version.

The CORE cell, hydrogen storage and battery technology, is the accumulation of knowledge, from Intelligent Energy. The CORE is the size of a briefcase, and can be removed to charge a small house or motorboat. Afterwards the fuel cell, can be recharged from a mini hydrogen creator, which is the size of a shoe - box. The bike weighs 155 lb., including 45 lb. for the CORE energy unit. The cooling fan emits, fuel cell's only sound, and sound of the tires, when in motion. The future model will include, an artificial engine noise, which could be turned on in urban setting to

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