Fuel Cell Works Supplemental News Page

**Italians ZERO IN ON a CLEAR run Byline BIKES**
Publication date: 16-June-04 Source: Europe Intelligence Wire
THE search for the zero-emission engine is almost like the alchemist's stone - desirable, but not attainable - except that it could be coming true. Italian bike and scooter firm Aprilia is working on a fuel cell-powered machine that would be silent and pollution-free. Picture Courtesy of Fuel Cell Today A prototype 125cc Aprilia Atlantic Zero Emission scooter has been running, powered by a high-performing electric engine and equipped with a fuel cell system from Swiss company MES-DEA. It's totally silent and the only emission is water. Fuelled by hydrogen, a production model would be capable of covering more than 90miles of city motoring at a top speed of about 50mph. The cell is the reverse of schooldays electrolysis experiments where an electrical current was applied to water giving hydrogen and oxygen. The Aprilia uses hydrogen and oxygen from the air to give electricity and water vapour. It's technologically advanced and, at present, puts out about 8bhp although engineers are working to improve all aspects, especially the hydrogen storage which could be a hard sell to buyers. Aprilia has been here before, however, with the short-lived Enjoy bicycle that gave an electric hand to help pedal power. That one was magneto-powered but the firm did make a fuel-cell powered version with a 2-litre canister of hydrogen stored in the frame. However, like the donor bike, it didn't take off but it didn't explode either! ~

THE search for the zero-emission engine is almost like the alchemist's stone - desirable, but not attainable - except that it could be coming true.

Italian bike and scooter firm Aprilia is working on a fuel cell-powered machine that would be silent and pollution-free.

Picture Courtesy of Fuel Cell Today
A prototype 125cc Aprilia Atlantic Zero Emission scooter has been running, powered by a high-performing electric engine and equipped with a fuel cell system from Swiss company MES-DEA.

It's totally silent and the only emission is water.

Fuelled by hydrogen, a production model would be capable of covering more than 90miles of city motoring at a top speed of about 50mph.

The cell is the reverse of schooldays electrolysis experiments where an electrical current was applied to water giving hydrogen and oxygen. The Aprilia uses hydrogen and oxygen from the air to give electricity and water vapour.

It's technologically advanced and, at present, puts out about 8bhp although engineers are working to improve all aspects, especially the hydrogen storage which could be a hard sell to buyers.

Aprilia has been here before, however, with the short-lived Enjoy bicycle that gave an electric hand to help pedal power.

That one was magneto-powered but the firm did make a fuel-cell powered version with a 2-litre canister of hydrogen stored in the frame. However, like the donor bike, it didn't take off but it didn't explode either!