Intelligent Energy Holdings plc (UK) reported that it is using a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cell in its ENV, claimed to be the world's first purpose-built fuel cell motorbike. The 1 kW briefcase-size PEM hydrogen fuel cell, dubbed "Core," can be lifted out and dropped into other machines.
Power comes through a 48 V, 6 kW dc motor from LMC (UK), the top speed of the 80 kg vehicle is 50 mph, and the range is 160 km. There are actually two of the firm's AC32-48 fuel cells inside Core, with a 15 Ah, 48 V lead-acid battery for load levelling. The ENV carries 2.4 kWh worth of hydrogen in a high-pressure composite cylinder, and refueling is said to take five minutes.
