Filed under: Hydrogen, On Two Wheels, China
Chinese company begins exporting hydrogen mopeds
Nearly a year ago, we first laid eyes on a hydrogen-powered moped from the Shanghai Pearl Hydrogen Power Source Technology Company. Although the machine had, um... questionable aesthetics, we were impressed by its 60-mile range at 15 miles per hour and relatively low $2,600 price tag. According to a report on Shanghai Daily, 30 of the hydrogen-fed units have already been exported. By 2011, the Chinese manufacturer hopes to be building 1,000 units per year for sale both in China and abroad. Considering that many electric two-wheelers already cost more than the hydrogen-powered ebike from Shanghai, there could be a real market for these vehicles, though the hydrogen fueling infrastructure is most definitely still in its infancy.
Other brands, such as Suzuki and Intelligent Energy, have plans to introduce hydrogen-powered fuel cell cycles of their own. Both the Crosscage and ENV, though, would surely cost significantly more than their Chinese counterparts.
[Source: Shangai Daily via Faster and Faster]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DJL 7:24PM (8/18/2008)
Any word on the cost of a full tank of hydrogen?
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gorr 7:54PM (8/18/2008)
These hydrogen gadjet sellers should sell hydrogen making machine with their products at wall-mart and home-depot. It's the way to start the hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen made in the basement or in the backyard.
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philmcneal 8:41PM (8/18/2008)
wouldn't making your hydrogen at home be a dangerous hazard if you screw up just like those meth labs?
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dausman 8:21AM (8/19/2008)
Spent this past Saturday afternoon at the Hydrogen Tour 2008 Columbia, SC stop. Besides being allowed to drive HFCV vehicles, a one hour info video was shown in which it addressed concerns about the volatility of hydrogen compared to gasoline.A number of people ,including me, had the same concern.
According to the video, gasoline is much more hazardous than hydrogen in a number of ways...it disipates into the air almost immediately in a gaseous form where gasoline tends to hover and layer when enclosed...in a garage for example....if a leak were to occur with liquid hydrogen, the puddle would be far smaller than that of an equal amoount of gasoline and would eventually(rather quickly) dissipate where the gasoline would slowly evaporate into a gaseous cloud that has a potential for violent explosiions if/when ignited.
The possibility of filling your hydrogen powered vehicle at home, overnight is a real possibility also, according to the video.
What the Chinese are doing should be considered as "a shot
that should be heard around the world". Hydrogen based power will be, hopefully, a part of our lives sooner than later.
Bill 10:25PM (8/18/2008)
"And the excess electricity produced by the alternator is used to make HHO from this jar of water..."
Sorry, couldn't resist.
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Gordio 11:13AM (8/19/2008)
I don't think it's that ugly. I think that's a folding bike, given certain hints. I think that's why it looks weird. all non-full sized folding bikes look weird.
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