Green Machines: Electric: Soundless Fury

Basem Wasef

04/01/2007

UK-based intelligent energy intends to launch a revolutionary product that evokes as much aesthetic appeal as functionality. The surreal experience of riding an ENV certainly inspires hope for fuel-cell technology. “We took two out to an aerodrome and ran them on the track at 50 mph,” Eggleston says, “and you could hear every note a skylark was singing. To get the smells of the countryside and the trees and the earth is part of the joy of motorcycling,” he adds, “but to actually hear the birds sing is quite extraordinary.”

Their ENV fuel cell bike is pronounced “envy,” hinting at the product’s implied “gotta have it” factor. With lithe, gazelle-like proportions and a poised, agile appearance, the ENV’s hybrid system utilizes a 7-horsepower electric motor for acceleration and a 1.5-horsepower fuel cell for cruising. The bike’s 240 pound weight aids maneuverability, but was too light to make use of Prius-style regenerative braking. Instead, the hydrogen fuel cell—which detaches in a briefcase-like object called a Core—charges the electric battery, when it is not being used to power the motor. High-end mountain bike components are incorporated into the rear monoshock, front fork, and braking assemblies (though these components will be upgraded before the bike goes into production). As Project Director Andy Eggleston colorfully describes it, “Jousting in traffic is a doddle.”

The race to produce the first commercially viable fuel cell-powered vehicle may be tempered by production risks and limited distribution infrastructure. With an average cruising range of four hours (or 100 miles), the ENV boasts real-world usability and nearly zero emissions, though one crucial component remains incomplete. “We are ensuring that whenever the bike is launched, there will be a refueling infrastructure to support it,” explains Eggleston. “We are very conscious of the fact that offering the equivalent of a locomotive without the track would not be very clever.”   

Intelligent Energy
www.envbike.com

SPECIFICATIONS:
Price: $10,000 (est.)
Engine: Electric motor
Power: 7 hp for acceleration, 1.5 hp for cruising.
Curb Weight: 240 mph
Top speed: 50 mph
Average fuel consumption: One tank of hydrogen lasts about 4 hours.
Pro: Lightweight and silent.
Con: Finding hydrogen.