History is full of fierce competition and battles for technological supremacy. Edison’s DC vs. Nikola Tesla’s AC, Beta vs. his VHS, or Microsoft vs. Apple offer different visions of the future.For mobility, combat is battery and hydrogen batteryFor now, electricity is winning, but hydrogen is far from throwing in the towel as a green power source. An example is Innovative hydrogen bicycle Designed by a Dutch company in collaboration with an Australian hydrogen battery manufacturer.
This article will cover:
What is a hydrogen bicycle?
One of the drawbacks of batteries is their low power-to-weight ratio. This means that the energy produced per kilogram is lower than other systems such as combustion engines. In automobiles, this ratio is acceptable, but in other cases, such as aviation, electric motors can only be used for short routes.
For bicycles and mopeds, this power-to-weight ratio is reduced range Primarily confined to urban environments. LAVO Bike offers an alternative. instead of lithium batteries Relies on lightweight, high-power hydrogen fuel cellsHydrogen batteries convert this gas into electricity with high efficiency. Thanks to an output of 40 kW/h, you can drive almost 180 miles with a 1.2 kg tank.
However, it is not the world’s first hydrogen bike.the honor is alpha bike Used at the 2019 G7 Summit in France.The advertising range for this model has ended one hundred mileswith Charge time is less than 2 minutes.
how exactly does that work?
Returning to the LAVO Bike, it is a hydrogen cargo bike with the following features.
- Modular design: All parts can be easily assembled and disassembled.
- Hydrogen Tank: A portable, refillable cylindrical component.
- Fuel cells: convert hydrogen into electricity.
- Hydrogen Production: Domestic system with photovoltaic power generation.
The last component can be used as a storage solution for renewable energy from solar panels.Developers claim the technology is capable of power the house for 2 days.
The LAVO Bike is designed as a vehicle that not only offers an alternative to cyclists, but is powerful enough to carry small loads. Strong ally of shipping companiesAt the moment, it’s a prototype slated for release in 2022, but it’s not unrealistic to think that similar hydrogen bikes will hit city streets in the next few years. Especially if hydrogen stations become a common sight.
Factors such as refueling speed, extended range and zero carbon footprint can tip the balance in your favour.
Why is it so sustainable?
As previously mentioned, this bike relies on green hydrogen through electrolysis powered by renewable energy. Compared to lithium batteries, hydrogen batteries do not require rare minerals or heavy metals. Moreover, at least for fuel cells, combustion of hydrogen produces only water.Things to watch out for Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in two ways:
- Conventional combustion engine: Hydrogen will replace gasoline and kerosene. The use of lubricants and additives releases water vapor and small amounts of nitrous oxide and residual carbon dioxide.
- Hydrogen fuel cell: Hydrogen facilitates electrochemical reactions and produces electricity. Only water vapor is released.
In addition, to know the green certification of hydrogen, we need to consider its color coding. This article describes the differences between: blue, gray and green hydrogenOf the three, green hydrogen is the greenest, as the electrolysis is done with renewable energy. This type of hydrogen is expected to be commercially profitable within the next decade. By then, no one knows if this energy source, powered by projects such as hydrogen bikes, will win the battle for more sustainable mobility. As such, the first internal combustion engines in the early 19th century used hydrogen instead of gasoline.
