The prototype of an innovative folding hydrogen bicycle has officially rolled off the production line in Changzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province.

It will be equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell and low-pressure hydrogen storage device. The fuel cell generates power to drive the bicycle once its proton exchange membrane (PEM) receives hydrogen from the hydrogen storage device.

The first batch of the new bicycle will go into mass production in late March and is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 200,000 by 2025.

The company claims it provides power according to the speed at which its rider pedals and stops, providing additional power at a speed of 24km/h.

When compared with conventional electric bikes using lithium batteries, the hydrogen-powered version is said to have longer service life and more environmentally friendly due to it only emitting water.

Last year, myFC announced it is creating a proof-of-concept for a hydrogen fuel cell bicycle.

The technology used is slim and able to be fitted into the frame of a normal electric bike.

Read more: myFC to develop hydrogen fuel cell systems for bicycle

The Alpha Neo was launched in France last year, which was promised to be the ‘world’s first’ hydrogen powered bicycle.

The Alpha Neo electric assist bike claims to have a refuelling time of less than two minutes and a range of up to 145km.

Pragma Industries’ states it has designed the ‘first’ commercial-grade fuel cell Pedelec, alpha, integrating OCS fuel cell technology.

The fuel cell and hydrogen storage integrated inside alpha 2.0 delivers a range of 150km on a single charge and offers a range between 135 and 150km depending on the type of driving, the topology and weight of cyclist.

Studio MOM and LAVO came together to create a hydrogen-powered bicycle.

LAVO’s hybrid hydrogen battery uses solar energy to extract hydrogen from water. The system was developed by researchers at the University of New South Wales.