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I drive a Suzuki Burgman 650 (gas model) weather permitting.  I refuse to ride during a thunderstorm, I have no desire to be a lightning rod.  In Houston, Texas I probally ride about 300 days a year. 

Now Suzuki has a a hydrogen-powered fuel cell hybrid electric Burgman scooter. It will enable city commuting while being very green because it has only water vapor for emissions. 

The Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter is made by clean power systems company Intelligent Energy and Suzuki Motor. It is currently being tested in London. Suzuki plans to use this Burgman platform to test and refine it’s fuel cell technology in scooter scale while making an affordable green product for consumers.

All motorcycle manufacturers are facing strong emissions standards in the near future – this scooter will exceed those requirements. The EU has put emissions at the top of their agenda for 2010. Suzuki is getting ready cutting emissions to zero. These same laws will effect all transportation so the technology in this scooter may be repurposed for four wheels in a few years.

Hydrogen is called an alternative energy source compared to carbon-hungry fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel. If this technology is to thrive it will require growth of hydrogen fueling stations.

This Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter is fueled by a cylinder of hydrogen, which reacts with oxygen in the air to produce electricity and water. A lithium-ion battery and fuel cell provide the vehicle’s power and the only gas emitted through the exhaust is water vapor.

Unlike other fuel cell vehicles, the battery does not need recharging. It can recharge itself when accelerating or decelerating and continues to produce power as long as it has hydrogen and oxygen. This Burgman has a 220 mile distance on a single tank of hydrogen.