Researchers Develop Hydrogen Powered Electric Bicycle

A hydrogen-powered electric bicycle prototype has been developed by researchers at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Hydrogen South Africa (HySA). Known as A Hi Fambeni (“Let’s go” in Tsonga), the bicycle contains fuels cells that create a clean source of power by combining oxygen and heat.

Unveiled by South African Minster Naledi Pandor at the Second Annual Resource Driven Technology Concept Centre (RECTEZA), the bicycle demonstrates a climate friendly alternative in biking to be used as part of the overall greening of the transport economy.

With climate change threatening the global economy, there is now a billion-dollar research industry focused on environment friendly modes of transportation. At the unveiling speech Minster Pandor said, “The growth in the number of electric bikes in China has been spectacular … in 1998 there were a mere 400,000 electric bikes … in 2008 there were 21 million”. The Department has signed a deal with US-based Altergy Systems Corporation, to set up a fuel-cell manufacturing facility in South Africa. “The bike will inspire invention and innovation among young South Africans,” Minister Naledi Pandor said.