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Sources:
XinHua website
Reporter: Yu Lihong
China International Science & Technology Cooperation Website
also reported this news.
The first fuel cell powered electric bicycle in China has
been introduced to the market today in Shanghai. Mass
production is soon to start. The e-bike is jointly developed
by US-based Powerzinc Electric, Inc. and Shanghai Green
Light Electric Bicycle Co., Ltd.
The e-bike is powered by zinc-air fuel cell. The technology
utilizes zinc oxide produced from oxidation to convert
chemical energy to electric energy. With zinc-air fuel cell
as power supply, the e-bike produces zero emission. The
specific energy of the fuel cell for this particular
application can reach up to 200 W/Kg. Under a consistent
voltage, it is capable of powering the bike for over 200 Km
range. That¨s 4 or 5 times what lead acid battery can
deliver.
E-bike is
considered a new industry and it is fast growing in China.
Statistics show that the nation¨s annual e-bike production
in 2001 is 400,000 units and it is expected to reach 900,000
units this year. The demand on e-bikes in the eastern region
of China alone keeps at 22% pace of increase annually. The
majority of the e-bikes in the market are powered by lead
acid batteries. But lead acid batteries contain heavy metal
lead. It causes certain degree of pollution during disposal.
About
Powerzinc
Powerzinc
Electric, Inc. is a California-based Hi-Tech company. It
is dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing
and commercialization of advanced zinc-air fuel cells and
entire manufacture facilities, along with fuel cells
refuel service platform. Through years of R&D, Powerzinc
has achieved significant breakthroughs in zinc-air fuel
cell technology and developed the high power, large
energy, long-lasting, low cost and environment-friendly
power and energy source. Its innovative products - DQFC
series of zinc-air fuel cells with creative design and
process technology is a totally renewable energy for
electric vehicles and various other applications today.
About
Powerzinc Electric (Shanghai), Inc
In Shanghai, China,
Powerzinc has established a zinc-air fuel cell
manufacturing and service model plant to commercialize the
technology and its products. The plant is ready for
commercial-scale production. The Company has started
supplying DQFC series zinc-air fuel cells to manufacturers
of Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters. In the near
future, the new series of DQFC zinc-air fuel cells for
Electric Buses, Defense and Security, Communication and
other applications will be available to the commercial
market soon to satisfy
the
real highly growing demand anywhere in the world.
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