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For staff at Osaka's Kansai Airport, getting around just gets easier and a lot more eco-friendly -- thanks to a bicycle that uses hydrogen power.
A hydrogen powered bicycle is being tested by airport staff to replace cars to get around the airport in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.
Yuko Tsubone, Kansai Airport Employee, said, "Because the airport is really large, it makes it easier to get around. I also think it's really nice since you can pedal without having to put in a lot of effort. You don't get tired."
The bicycle uses a hydrogen fuel cell to charge the onboard battery, much like common electric bicycles. The added bonus is that it allows users to quickly fill up on hydrogen instead of waiting for a battery to charge. It takes around the same time as filling a car tank with petrol.
Yusuke Nagai, Hydrogen Energy Department, Iwatani Corporation, said, "The bicycle has a hydrogen cartridge and fuel cell inside. The hydrogen is sent to the fuel cell, and the electricity that is produced is then used to provide the power to assist pedaling."
The 80 liter hydrogen cartridge powers the bicycle for about three hours before it has to be refilled, which is done at the airport's hydrogen refueling station.
The largest benefit of using hydrogen as an energy source for the bicycles is that they are 100 percent environmentally friendly. The fuel cell's only emission is pure water without any gases, which rules out pollution or possible greenhouse gases.
Editor: Zhang Pengfei | Source: CCTV.com