Peter scoops us on some news from Yamaha Canada’s “RedLine” newsletter. It appears the FC-AQEL “twin hydrogen fuel cell” powered scooter is still making the runways, showing up at a hybrid industry trade show in Pacifico Yokohama.
It says that “Yamaha has announced plans to continue developing both the Yamaha Hydrogen Fuel Cell System and the Yamaha Direct Methanol Fuel Cell System as part of our commitment to the environment and advanced alternative power technologies”.
I think the funniest thing is that it starts out with:
“Yamaha Announces a Hydrogen Powered Motorcycle
. . . and just when the die-hard 2-stroke fans are accepting the 4-strokes!”
I think a fuel cell scooter would be cool if battery technology isn’t already scheduled to blow it out of the water. I mean, who wants to fiddle with hydrogen & methanol if you could just plug in and get the same performance. Perhaps some day. Oh, and THANKS Pete!
PS> Yeah Bryce, I love the All is Full of Love video. It’s been an inspiration for a custom idea I’ve been mulling around for a while now. I dig the look! Glad it didn’t look like it came from the Rubber Johnny video.
4. February 2007 at 2:13 pm
If batteries can’t keep up with hydrogen then there is always home hydrogen generation. It isn’t difficult to make and may be less ecologically damaging in both the short and long run.
Just a thought
4. February 2007 at 6:24 pm
Agreed, I’d rather have great battery powered scooters than fuel cell ones.
Generating hydrogen is energy intensive, and most people don’t realize that it takes more energy to produce hydrogen than you will be able to expend propelling the scooter.
On a system wide level, if vehicles went all electric or hydrogen tomorrow, air quality would drop dramatically and our electrical grids would strain under the demand. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing hydrogen for internal combustion engines like BMW has done on their 7 series prototype. A hydrogen fueled 2 stroke would be extremely clean and lots of fun.
4. February 2007 at 7:59 pm
Additionally, I love the styling of that Yamaha, I think it’s beautiful in a futuristic, Björk All is Full of Love video sort of way.
5. February 2007 at 8:37 pm
Yeah that rubber johnny video is SICK!