An innovation has recently triggered the riders' curiosity and
scrutiny. This was all about the launching of hydrogen powered
motorcycles. These motorcycles are called ENV (pronounced as
envy) or emissions neutral vehicle. The speed is 50 mph or 80
km/h at the range of at least 100 miles or 160 km. Said
motorcycles can run for four hours before its fuel-cell needs
recharging.
Intelligent Energy, maker of ENV, has designed the fuel-cell
motorcycle to look simple, clean and user-friendly. Aside from
the fact that it is run by a fuel cell called Core, it also
produces low sound compared to the rest of the motorcycles. Said
Core is detachable from the motorcycle and can be used to power
small household properties. The battery pack serves to provide 6
kilowatts of peak load to the motor. With it, motorcycle can
tend to become too quiet eliminating the usual excruciating
roar. In addition, anti-noise campaigners are welcoming it on
the streets. This can open to a whole new experience to all the
riders out there. The only drawback though is that said
motorcycle can not more or less warn other vehicles or passersby
for that matter.
In one of his interviews, Harry Bradbury, chief executive of the
bike's British manufacturers Intelligent Energy said, "What we
are doing is introducing flexibility into it, so that you can
have ambient noise that is tolerable - low-level noise
sufficient for safety reasons - but which can be switched off
when desired."
ENV is a pollution-free motorcycle. In fact, according to its
designers, even its water-vapor emissions are drinkable because
they are so clean. With the state's endeavor to clean up the
air, the use of ENV can be a good alternative.
What about the price? The hydrogen fill-up could cost $3.
Motorcycle parts are another thing. A prototype of ENV as
divulged in London could cost more than $8,300. However, riders
are expecting that price will be around $6,000. But expectations
may fail. The bike is expected to be open to buyers next year.
The expected first's buyers are probably the nations of China
and India where motorcycles are common modes of transportation.
However, it is predicted that ENV will not sell much in the
United States because Americans view motorcycles as leisure
vehicles and not so much for other reasons.
This advancement in technology can bring about major advantage
in our environment especially to the attainment of clean air.
Aside from the fact that it will reduce air and noise pollution
in the streets, it can still be a good source of transportation
and adventure.
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