Linde AG

Linde's hydrogen-powered bike shows new way towards electro-mobility (news with additional features)

(DGAP-Media / 14.10.2015 / 09:00)

Linde's hydrogen-powered bike shows new way towards electro-mobility

- Linde takes the idea for a hydrogen-powered e-bike to pilot series in
just a few months

- CEO Büchele commented: "We want to contribute to the widespread
commercialisation of hydrogen as a clean technology."

Munich, 14 October 2015 - Technology company The Linde Group, a leader in
the build-up of a hydrogen infrastructure for many years, is exploring new
possibilities of zero-emission, sustainable mobility. Yesterday the company
unveiled its latest development, a very innovative pedelec, whose name
derives from "pedal electric cycle". The highlight of this bike lies in its
source of power. The battery usually found on e-bikes is replaced by a
compact fuel cell which generates electric power from hydrogen and oxygen
taken from the surrounding air. This unique, highly efficient and
zero-emissions drive system supports assisted pedalling over a range in
excess of 100 kilometres with a single, 34-gram cylinder of hydrogen. The
specially developed fuelling system means the cylinder can be refilled in
less than six minutes.

"Linde is also pushing new and unconventional ideas to contribute to the
widespread commercialisation of hydrogen as a clean technology," commented
Dr Wolfgang Büchele, CEO of Linde AG. "With the Linde H2 bike, we have
shown that the benefits of hydrogen drives are not restricted to cars -
bikes are another interesting application."

As one of the first to benefit from this new form of effortless two-wheel
mobility, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt received a Linde
hydrogen bike out of the hands of Dr Büchele.

It took Linde engineers less than three months to develop the project from
the initial idea to a functioning prototype. Under the motto "I run on
hydrogen", the Linde H2 bike proves that there is a viable alternative to
conventional batteries in electric bikes, thus further increasing the
appeal of what is already viewed as an environmentally friendly mode of
transport. Like hydrogen-powered cars, fuel-cell bikes have the dual
advantage of a long range and a short refuelling window of just a few
minutes. What is more, they eliminate the need for traction batteries,
which come with a limited lifespan and are difficult to dispose of.

The H2 bike, which Linde will produce as a limited prototype series, runs
on sustainable green hydrogen fuel. The hydrogen can be obtained through
the electrolysis of water using wind energy or by reforming biogas. The