China Unveils Hydrogen-powered Bike In Shanghai Fair

China unveiled its first hydrogen-powered bicycle at a trade fair in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The Shanghai Daily said the Shanghai Pearl Hydrogen Power Source Technology Co. exhibited the fuel-cell bike at the 9th China International Exhibition on Gas Technology, Equipment and Applications. The trade fair opened at the Shanghaimart on Wednesday.

The bike looks different from electric bikes widely used in Shanghai with its battery tank and pair of hydrogen gas bottles positioned under the seat. The energy system is also lighter than the batteries on electric bikes.

The company's general manager, Tian Binglun, told Shanghai Daily that the battery uses hydrogen gas to power and drive the bike without producing harmful emissions. The hydrogen produces only a bit of water, he said.

The bike can travel 62 miles (100 kilometers) on a full tank with a speed of 15.5 miles an hour (25 kilometers per hour). It also takes 30 minutes to refill the hydrogen tanks compared to three hours for recharging an electric bike battery.

Tian said they are receiving inquiries and orders for the bike model completed only in August. The bike cost $2,632 but would sell cheap when mass produced.

The general manager said users of the bike will need to order gas refills from local suppliers because the fuel is not available in ordinary gas stations.