Technology and security
1. Velhy technology in 10 points
- Hydrogen-powered electric propulsion : The lithium battery is replaced by a hydrogen tank and a fuel cell. The fuel cell converts the hydrogen in the tank and oxygen from the air into water and electricity. This hydrogen bicycle system is part of a global approach to reliable and sustainable hydrogen mobility.
- Clean Hydrogen Production : Velhy technology produces hydrogen from purified water using a home electrolyzer designed for the home, using solar energy to reduce the carbon footprint.
- High density energy : With 200 ml of water, it is possible to produce 20 g of hydrogen in 4 to 5 hours, providing a very compact energy source.
- Low-pressure tank : Small, lightweight, economical hydrogen tanks with a pressure of 10 bars allow this energy to be transported safely and conveniently.
- Sustainable mobility : The brand's hydrogen-powered bikes offer a range of 40 to 60 km on a single charge, ideal for daily travel.
- Enhanced safety : Velhy technology uses low-pressure storage, charging and discharging solutions, at only 10 bars, tested and certified by CE and TUV, non-flammable and explosion-proof, reliable for daily use.
- System longevity : Velhy hydrogen and fuel cell generators offer an average lifespan of 10 to 20 years, with little maintenance and low running costs.
- Efficient production : Velhy systems consume around 1.5 kWh, or a cost of around €0.30 of electricity to produce a full charge of a hydrogen bike , which represents a competitive energy cost.
- Proven ecological benefits : Velhy's entire technology chain aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and limit polluting emissions, thus promoting the transition to green energy.
- The pleasure of a bike ride : making journeys with the satisfaction of moving thanks to water.
2. Vision
The Velhy bicycle brand was created with the aim of offering a safe and sustainable alternative to the lithium battery that equips almost all electric bicycles. In an era where homes are being equipped with solar panels, it makes sense to use this surplus solar energy to electrolyze water and store hydrogen for its own electric mobility .
The hydrogen bike then becomes much more than a means of transport: it allows everyone to receive the hydrogen they produce themselves at home, via a responsible and autonomous system.
The Velhy brand believes in the energy mix for a cleaner and more sustainable future of global mobility . Low-pressure hydrogen storage technology makes hydrogen reliable and safe, and makes this dream a reality by bringing the first hydrogen-powered bicycles to market.
3. Security
To ensure user safety, Velhy has opted for a brand-new low-pressure hydrogen storage technology. The Velhy system allows for low-pressure operation at 10 bars. This makes the tank highly secure. It has received TUV certification, proving its flameproofness and explosion-proofness.
It should be noted that most current distribution, charging and discharging systems operate at a pressure of 300 bars, which makes them dangerous, particularly in the event of an explosion. This parameter has until now been a barrier to the development of hydrogen bicycles .
This low-pressure storage at 10 bars is made possible by a new hydrogen storage technology applied in Velhy tanks: it is an alloy powder contained in the tank, with which the hydrogen combines in order to pass from the gaseous state to the solid state, and thus take up 500 times less space in the tank. As a result, the 0.4L tank can store 200L of hydrogen at a pressure of only 10 bars.
The fuel cell contained in the frame, which transforms hydrogen from the tank and oxygen from the air into water and electricity to power the motor, is also certified, non-flammable and explosion-proof, and is not a dangerous part of the hydrogen bike.
4. Sustainability
Manufacturing a lithium battery requires many more rare metals, such as lithium, nickel, and manganese, than making a tank and a fuel cell. There will come a day when there will no longer be enough of these metals to manufacture new batteries, especially if every inhabitant of the planet has one, and this is why it is relevant to develop this hydrogen bicycle technology, which costs more electricity per km, but costs much less in terms of rare metal consumption and therefore has a more positive carbon footprint.
Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries only have a lifespan of 1,000 cycles, after which refurbishment is required with renewal and recycling of worn-out cells, which again leads to demands for rare metals. With hydrogen, on the other hand, the fuel cell has a lifespan of 10,000 to 20,000 cycles and requires very few rare metals, while the hydrogen tank has a lifespan of several decades and requires no metal for its manufacture.
In conclusion, the mix of solar energy and hydrogen technology makes it possible to further improve its carbon footprint compared to the classic city electric bike .
