Intelligent Energy teams up with Suzuki to develop fuel-cell motorcycles

Intelligent Energy (IE), known on ABG's pages as the company behind the ENV fuel-cell motorcycle, has announced that they will partner up with Suzuki Motor Corporation on the development of prototype hydrogen fuel-cell motorcycles. Future bikes produced by the partnership will run on Intelligent Energy's proprietary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel-cells that are billed by IE as having class-leading performance in automotive applications. The PEM design utilises thin metallic bipolar plates, allowing the resultant fuel-cell to be extremely compact and easy to mass manufacture.

Intelligent Energy's Chief Executive Dr Henri Winand was quoted as saying, "As a company, we have a range of leading clean technologies based on proprietary fuel cell and fuel processing systems. We work with key partner companies to integrate our systems into their products. It is well known that Japanese companies are particularly sophisticated and knowledgeable when it comes to fuel cell-based products. We are therefore delighted to announce our new partnership with the Suzuki Motor Corporation."

Analysis: The ENV has clearly proved the viability of fuel-cell powered motorcycles but Intelligent Energy was always going to have to partner up with an existing manufacturer to bring their PEM technology to the market in a meaningful way. This partnership paves the way for a whole new class of zero-emission vehicles on our roads.

[Source: Intelligent Energy press release]

Suzuki concept at Auto Expo 2008

his year most concept cars being unveiled and destined for NAIAS in Detroit, but not this one. In New Delhi, India, will open the Auto Expo 2008. There Suzuki will be showing its new A-segment vehicle. A production car based on the A-Star will be manufactured at the Manesar plant, and will be sold principally in Europe and Asia. The first customer models will roll off the line next October. Known as the Concept A-Star, it will be the Japanese firm’s fifth global model. It follows the debut of the Splash B-segment supermini - a product shared with GM - at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September. The newcomer is a five-door hatchback with an all-new 1.0-liter gas engine. No other engine will be available. India is massively important for Suzuki, and the firm has more than 50 percent of the passenger car market. Back in the early Eighties it joined with the national government to establish Maruti Udyog Limited, now named Maruti Suzuki India.

Suzuki Crosscage is now a runnerEmerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hydrogen, Suzuki, On Two Wheels, Green Daily

We've been keeping tabs on Suzuki's innovative Crosscage concept bike since its debut at the last Tokyo Auto Show. Since then, Suzuki and Intelligent Energy, makers of the fuel cell ENV bike and the fuel cell powering the Crosscage, have been working hard on making this vehicle workable. It's apparently paid dividends, as you can see from the pictures of the bike in operation. From what we can tell, this machine is, in fact, fully operational and is running on electricity. Even exotic parts such as the single-sided front fork and rear swingarm are present and accounted for on the running version of the prototype. Very thin-section tires are used for their low rolling resistance, which should translate into extended range. The seat features an innovative flip-up action, allowing the hydrogen tank to be refilled. There is a full digital dash atop the bars including a tachometer and speedometer. We're rather surprised that this bike has gotten so far in the design stage in such short order. Keep up the good work, Suzuki!