Zero-emission fuel-cell scooter to make debut in Tokyo

A new zero-emission, fuel-cell-powered scooter is set to make its debut tomorrow at the opening of the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter is a joint development of the Suzuki Motor Corporation and Intelligent Energy, a UK-based clear power systems firm. This isn’t the first the two companies have worked together, either: two years ago, they unveiled the Crosscage fuel-cell motorbike.

The new scooter, designed to be city friendly, is fitted with a hydrogen fuel tank which delivers quick refueling, good riding range and a robust frame for increased safety. The scooter uses the latest version of Intelligent Energy’s proprietary PEM clean fuel-cell engine, which is light, compact and well-suited to mass manufacture.

“The zero-emissions Burgman scooter is the latest product of the successful commercial relationship between Suzuki and Intelligent Energy,” said Henri Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy. “Of course, these clean fuel-cell-engine-powered motorcycles are not simply for motor shows, and can be widely available to everyone in the near future. With a mass market of about 40 million units per annum, there is a lot to go after. As part of this process, Intelligent Energy and Suzuki will continue to work on clean fuel-cell-powered motorcycles and plan to hold demonstrations of the fuel-cell scooter in the near future.”