Aviation, car, scooter: hydrogen is part of mobility. It is therefore not surprising that he invaded the cycle. Is hydrogen with its lower impact on the environment alternative to classic VAE and solutions in finding more sustainable mobility?
Hydrogen wheels run on a fuel cell, also called a hydrogen cell. These wheels have a classic VAE electric motor. It is not powered by a lithium battery, but by this article, which converts hydrogen into electricity. Therefore, these wheels also carry patrons (or tanks) that contain the aforementioned hydrogen.
If these hydrogen wheels represent an interesting innovation, they raise several questions about their relevance compared to conventional lithium -batteries. It offers a great advantage on paper, but in 2024 it remains specialized technology.
Hydrogen wheel, more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium batteries?
Speaking of future mobility, we often talk about ecology. Hydrogen seems to be a more environmentally friendly solution for its supporters. However, this remains an observation that needs to be qualified – let’s say rather that the environmental impact is not performed in the same place.
The lithium It has a greater ecological impact than hydrogen – the ecological aspect of the hydrogen wheel is also one of the motivations observed during the Bhyke experiment carried out between 2017 and 2019 by Ademe. Its mining leads to major ecological and ethical problems: excessive water consumption in its mining, mining operations that contribute to ecosystems degradation and whose ways do not always respect human rights, non -renewable sources, etc. Lithium also represents considerable recycling problems The hydrogen system is easier to recycle.
non -toxic gas,‘hydrogen It represents a cleaner and long -term sustainable energy potential. It is used in bicycle fuel cells, creating only water vapors and does not produce greenhouse gases. But unlike lithium, which must be extracted, hydrogen is rare in its natural state. It must therefore be produced, which also causes energy expenditure.
Let us recall in this respect The production of hydrogen is still dependent on fossil fuels. “Of the 70 million tons of hydrogen (without production as a by -product) produced every year in the world, including one million in France, 48 % of natural gas, 28 % of oil and 23 % of coal. Data from the International Energy Agency ”(Source: Note 25 Scientific Notes of the Parliamentary Office for the evaluation of scientific and technology elections, April 2021). The note states that there are other manufacturing techniques that do not use hydrocarbons, but whose use is limited due to their price, complexity, yield, etc.
From a holistic point of view, the ecological balance of hydrogen deserves nuances: if its production method does not pass through a revolution that would divert from hydrocarbons, it will never be green than the e -carbon electricity.
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Attractive charging time but charging stations is still too little
Unlike pedelecs that require several hours to recharge batteries, Hydrogen wheels can be recharged within minutes. The pioneer in the field, the French company Pragma Mobility, which launched the very first hydrogen wheel, announces the recharge time of 2 minutes. Yes, but…
A problem that slows the acceptance of hydrogen wheels in France? Network poverty of recharge infrastructure. Availability and comfort today remain an important problem for users to solve. This is also one of the conclusions and paths to improve the Bhyke experiment.
Towards the rechargeable hydrogen wheels at home?
Several brands have developed hydrogen wheels for recharging at home. This is the case of Youon, a Chinese manufacturer who has already deployed a self -service hydrogen cycling stations. The company produces a compact hydrogen production station for home use (Q100), filling bottles and fuel cell.
But let’s not win the victory yet! The charging time of the bottle via the station remains around 5 hours and its electricity consumption clearly qualifies the environmental dimension of the system. It is difficult to see the benefits compared to charging the conventional battery connected to the socket.
As for the range announced by a brand for a single charge, it is only 40 to 60 km. For the maximum assisted speed of 23 km/h… the same time of charging cassette (5 hours) and autonomy (50 km) for the Boon H2 hydrogen wheel from Hubur – whose site really leaves something needed – presented at VIVA Tech Show 2024.
Therefore, these devices have no specific advantage compared to traditional VAE, which drive at speeds of up to 25 km/ha can drive up to 120 km depending on the chosen mode.
The price of the hydrogen wheel will delay many
In 2023, the cost of the hydrogen electric bike remains particularly high, For rather basic “performance”. The price, which is undoubtedly justified years of research and development and the development of new systems, which, however, leaves too little at the technical level. For example, Boon H2 from Hubur has a price of € 5,500 (with two cylinders). The price that is enough to grind.
For comparison for € 4,399, you can buy Monday 27.6 from Moustache. This VAE has a Bosch Performance Line engine, a belt drive, an smooth Enviolo transmission and an announced range of 115 km. And axa device against theft integrated into the frame!
But there is hope! The NEO hydrogen model offered Pragma Mobility differs from other models of good autonomy: on a single charge you travel up to 150 km. The brand offers several utility models adapted to different needs. The Neo bike is still in pre -orders and costs 5,690 euros without tax.
In short, for this price you will not get an elegant design. The frames of the hydrogen -powered electric bikes remain impressive. In addition to the design, the hydrogen system also has an equally impressive weight that is not without consequences of autonomy or the practicality of the machine. This is also one of the problems that users who were able to test old hydrogen models (after improved) using the Bhyke experiment: “ The geographical relief of the cities where the demonstrations take place, forces users to systematically require electrical assistance due to the weight of the wheel. »
Additional costs can be expected to increase the account
Above the price of the bike it will be necessary also count the cost of a monthly subscription or to recharge at the station, or at home. In Hubur, 130 euros are worth a tax for a re -filling cassette. And then we can not wait to see compatibility problems between cassette models.
Hydrogen technology is still new in the cycling industry, which can make maintenance and repair more complicated and more expensive. You will also need to find a specialized repairman familiar with this technology.
The VAE lithium battery has a bright future ahead
This technology, which is promising on paper, is still in development and requires a wide range of improvements, especially in terms of production methods.Recharge, machine performance and costs. In other words, there is no point in thinking about the hydrogen bike.