Deutsch Telecom, the German-based telecommunications company, is commercially testing bikes with hydrogen-powered fuel cell motors in Berlin. Two German companies, Masterflex and Hawk Bicycles, have collaborated on these bikes, which are intended for eventual use for transporting mail, refrigerated goods, or other types of products that lend themselves to delivery by bike in urban areas.
Hydrogen-powered bikes already exist in England. In 2007, Valeswood distributed the Pearl Hydrogen Cycle. But the Pearl Cycles are used primarily as industry examples of hydrogen-powered fuel cell transportation, not working delivery bikes. Also, there is not a current delivery service for hydrogen gas, so Pearl Cycle owners need to "access their own hydrogen gas container to use for refueling," as stated by Valeswood's Managing Director John Turner during his interview with Bike Radar.
Hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology, as applied to bicycle transportation, is in the beginning stages. The 250-watt motors on the Masterflex/Hawk bikes are exempt from motor vehicle laws, just like regular bikes. In addition, hydrogen is believed to deliver up to three times the power of a battery, and the by-product of the hydrogen reaction is water, not carbon emissions. However, as you well may know, creating a system by which to extract, store, and process hydrogen in environmentally friendly fuel cells at a competitive price is the challenge. (You can read more about fuel cells by clicking here and here.)
(Photos lifted from the bikeradar site and the Valeswood site)
via bikeradar.com
