We hear a lot about hydrogen, but in cars, let alone bicycles, its use is still small. French company PragmaMobilitybased in Biarritz, is the first to develop and launch in 2017 a bicycle equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell:Alpha.
A showcase of French technological know-how, Alfa is it the first hydrogen bicycle sold worldwide, which combines soft mobility and innovative technology. It is an electric city bike that can be charged in about a minute and provides a range of up to 145 km.
Hydrogen bikes: fuel cell, key element
Pragma Mobility did not stop there and this year offers a new generation of hydrogen bicycles called Alpha Neo : it strives to be more efficient, greener and more competitive.
This electric bike works by a Fuel cell 1300 Wh, which is connected to the hydrogen tank and a Engine 250 W built into the hub of the rear wheel. Thanks to the reaction between oxygen in the air and hydrogen, the fuel cell produces electrical energy that is used to provide up to five levels of electric assistance at a distance of up to 25 km/h.
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Hydrogen bikes: more efficient and environmentally friendly
Using hydrogen to generate electricity has the advantage of not being discarded absence of polluting emissions use other than water vapor, which gives it an environmental advantage.
But above all, the charging time sets it apart from a regular e-bike: all you have to do isabout a minute to charge with hydrogen, compared to several hours to charge a VAE battery! Then you can achieve autonomy up to 145 kmwith stable performance regardless of the weather and a service life of up to 10 years.
Hydrogen bicycles: long-term rental
One obstacle that may arise in the face of the democratization of hydrogen bikes is their price: indeed, Pragma Mobility’s Alpha Neo sells for more than 6000 euros with tax! To take the pill, the French company is offering a long-term rental offer for monthly payments of €95 including tax, after a first rent of €2,040 including tax.
A second obstacle also remains the lack of service stations offering hydrogen in France: to allow its users to recharge, Pragma Mobility will also offer a solution for the distribution of environmentally friendly hydrogen produced from solar energy.
Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.