The world of sustainable mobility is evolving rapidly, and one of the latest innovations in eco-friendly transport is the hydrogen scooter. Hydrogen scooters represent a revolutionary advancement in the sustainable mobility sector.
In a dynamic where environmental protection is a central concern for various leaders, these hydrogen-powered two-wheelers appear to be a promising solution to traditional vehicles that are major contributors to environmental pollution.
In this guide, we will explore the world of hydrogen scooters to provide you with detailed information about these new modes of transportation, their advantages, and their potential.
The Best Hydrogen Scooter
What is a Hydrogen Electric Scooter?
A hydrogen scooter is a type of two-wheeled vehicle that uses hydrogen as its energy source to propel its electric motor. Unlike conventional scooters that run on gasoline or electricity stored in batteries, hydrogen scooters draw their power from advanced technology called fuel cells.
Hydrogen is stored in gaseous form in a specially designed tank onboard the scooter. This tank is designed to withstand the high pressure of hydrogen and ensure safe storage.
When the rider accelerates, hydrogen is delivered from the tank to a fuel cell within the scooter. In this fuel cell, hydrogen reacts chemically with oxygen from the air, producing electricity in the process.
The chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen produces only pure water as a by-product, which means that hydrogen scooters generate no polluting emissions, making them environmentally friendly.
Introduction to the ScootHY Hydrogen Scooter
Scoothy is a hydrogen electric scooter developed by Pragma Mobility, a French company specializing in hydrogen vehicles. It is set to be marketed in 2024. This new model of hydrogen scooter aligns with a more practical and environmentally friendly approach to hydrogen mobility.
Scoothy is a clean, effective, and sustainable mobility solution. It offers an alternative to battery electric scooters, which have lower autonomy and longer charging times. It has various features that make it a wise choice for cyclists looking for eco-friendly bikes.
ScootHY Hydrogen Scooter Autonomy
The Scoothy has an announced range of 60 km. This means that this hydrogen scooter can travel up to 60 kilometers on a full tank of hydrogen before needing to be refueled. This range is typical for hydrogen scooters designed for urban and suburban use.
An advantage of hydrogen over electric batteries is often the possibility of achieving a longer range with fast refueling. This can be particularly practical for urban commutes, where users can quickly refuel their scooter during their stops.
However, it is important to note that actual range can fluctuate based on many factors, including the rider’s speed, weather conditions, the rider’s weight, and the state of the stored hydrogen. Nonetheless, with a range of 60 km, the Scoothy should be suitable for many daily uses, whether for commuting, running errands in the city, or general urban travel.
A Scooter with Reduced Refueling Time
The announced refueling time for the Scoothy is only 3 minutes. This means that using an appropriate hydrogen refueling station, you can refuel the scooter’s hydrogen tank in record time.
This quick refueling feature is one of the advantages of hydrogen vehicles compared to traditional electric vehicles, which generally have longer charging times, especially if you do not have access to fast charging.
The reduced refueling time of the Scoothy makes it a practical option for daily commutes, as users can quickly refuel their scooter when needed without having to wait long. This contributes to making hydrogen mobility more convenient, especially for urban commutes where time is often a critical factor.
An LFP Accumulator and Fixed Tank for the ScootHY Hydrogen Scooter
A fixed tank for hydrogen is safer as it is designed to withstand high pressures and ensure safe handling of hydrogen. Besides the safety aspect, it is also important to note that the LFP accumulators powering the Scoothy hydrogen scooter have a long lifespan and can withstand a large number of charge and discharge cycles without significant performance loss.
In other words, the Scoothy will be able to run for several years without the user having to worry about battery range. LFP batteries have good thermal stability, making them less sensitive to temperature variations. They offer stable performance even in extreme weather conditions.
The Scoothy hydrogen scooter is equipped with a 7-liter hydrogen tank, capable of withstanding a pressure of 300 bars. This high pressure is necessary to maximize the density of stored hydrogen, allowing for sufficient range despite the low density of gaseous hydrogen.
What are the advantages of a hydrogen scooter compared to an electric scooter with a lithium battery?
Hydrogen scooters have several advantages over electric scooters with lithium batteries, although the choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the user and the available infrastructure.
Autonomy
The range of hydrogen scooters and electric scooters can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the capacity of the battery or hydrogen tank, the vehicle’s energy efficiency, the driver’s driving style, and environmental conditions.
The typical range of a hydrogen scooter generally ranges between 100 and 200 kilometers with a full hydrogen tank. Some newer models can even achieve ranges exceeding 200 kilometers.
The range of an electric scooter, on the other hand, depends on the capacity of its battery. Electric scooters can have a range of 40 to 150 kilometers, depending on battery size. High-end models with larger batteries tend to have higher ranges.
Refueling Time
Hydrogen scooters have the advantage of very short refueling times. In general, hydrogen refueling can take as little as 2 to 5 minutes to fill a hydrogen tank to full capacity. This makes them convenient for users who wish to minimize downtime during their trips.
The refueling times for electric scooters, on the other hand, depend on several factors, including battery capacity and the type of charger used. Electric scooters can take 4 to 8 hours for a full recharge using a standard home charger. This often means overnight charging.
Electric models equipped with fast chargers can reach 80% charge in about 30 minutes, although the total time can vary depending on battery capacity. Some top models can benefit from ultra-fast charging stations that can provide significant charge in just a few minutes, but these stations are currently rare.
Battery Life
Hydrogen scooters use fuel cells to produce electricity, and they generally have a longer lifespan than the batteries of electric scooters. In general, hydrogen fuel cells have a lifespan of around 5,000 to 10,000 hours of use.
This generally equates to several hundred thousand kilometers. This durability is partly due to the fact that fuel cells are less sensitive to charge and discharge cycles than electric batteries.
The lifespan of electric scooter batteries, on the other hand, primarily takes into account the quality of the battery and how it is used and maintained. Generally speaking, electric scooter batteries can have a lifespan of 3 to 10 years or more, depending on various factors including:
- Charge and discharge cycles;
- Operating temperature;
- Range management and;
- Battery quality.
Other Advantages of Hydrogen Scooters Compared to an Electric Scooter with a Lithium Battery
Hydrogen scooters can be lighter than electric scooters with large batteries, making them more maneuverable and easier to drive, particularly in urban environments.
Apart from their reduced weight, hydrogen scooters produce only pure water as a by-product, meaning they emit no polluting gases during use. This transformation contributes to better air quality in urban areas.
The performance of lithium batteries can be affected by very hot or very cold temperatures. Hydrogen scooters, on the other hand, have better thermal stability and can perform better in various weather conditions.
Hydrogen tanks can store energy for long periods without significant loss, making them suitable for renewable energy storage applications.
Hydrogen scooters offer a zero local emission mobility solution, making them attractive in urban areas where air quality is a growing concern. They help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Their widespread adoption will depend on factors such as the development of refueling infrastructure, cost reduction, and environmental concerns.
