On the way to CO2-neutral transportation, a German-Czech consortium wants to develop a new type of hydrogen motorcycle. The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU) announced on Thursday in Chemnitz that a roadworthy motorcycle that meets European approval standards is to be built as a demonstration model by the end of 2025.
The use of hydrogen is intended to enable a greater range with shorter refueling times compared to battery electric vehicles. Delivery services and parcel delivery companies in city centers were named as areas of application.
The challenge is reportedly the limited space available on a motorcycle. In addition to the hydrogen tank, a complete fuel cell system has to be accommodated in the frame construction so that the hydrogen can be converted into electricity on board.
In addition to the IWU and the CVUT Technical University in Prague, companies such as WätaS Wärmetauscher Sachsen from Olbernhau and 1to1 design from Prague are also involved in the "Hydrocycle" project. Work is also underway elsewhere to use hydrogen as a fuel for motorcycles in the future. For example, several manufacturers such as Suzuki and Honda are conducting research into this under the title "HySE".
