Toyota Motor Corp. (Japan) unveiled a fuel-cell-driven Ultra-FC bicycle at the company's 26th Annual Idea Expo in Tokyo February 1, 2003. The event, organized by the Toyota Engineering Society, features creative inventions by Toyota's employees and serves as a way for engineers to think beyond the usual limits by removing the "wet blankets" of cost and practicality.
The Ultra-FC bicycle creates its own hydrogen fuel by electrolysis by using solar cells mounted on the handlebars, while the rear-mounted fuel cells drive an electric motor attached to the front wheel. The pedals can be used to turn the rear wheel as usual.
