Tuesday 11/9/2007 Page: 33
PEOPLE maybe sceptical about China's green credentials, but the world's most populous country has now produced a hydrogen-powered bicycle. Shanghai Pearl Hydrogen Power Source Technology unveiled the environmentally-clean, hydrogen fuel-cell bike at an international fair in Shanghai over the weekend. The bike is similar to a conventional electric bicycle except for two hydrogen gas bottles and a small fuel-cell.Many hail hydrogen as the ultimate power source because it "burns" without any by-products other than water and can be produced by renewable energy sources such as wind energy. In a country where the bicycle is still a hugely important form of transport, the hydrogen bike could have a promising future. The big advantage of the bike is that the gas bottles can be refilled or exchanged quite quickly compared with several hours to recharge a battery-powered bike.
The gas bottles and fuel-cell are also lighter than comparable battery packs. So far the just-completed bike has shown it can complete a trip of about 100km at about 25 kmh. As you would expect with a new technology, the cost is fairly high at the moment at around $3200. However, the company is confident that will drop to about $670 once it begins mass production. It is also confident of getting the weight of the bike down further.
General manager Tian Binglun said there had already been inquiries and trial orders from interested overseas buyers. "Most of the buyers at present are individuals keen on clean energy applications," said Tian. He is confident of domestic success too and is compiling a list of designated gas suppliers for refills. Tian said the company had also been approached by potential partners who wanted to use its patented technology on a wider range of vehicles, including motorbikes and golf carts.
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