A leaked patent document has revealed that TVS is working on a hydrogen-powered scooter. Yes, you read that right!

The image in the patent shows two hydrogen ‘fuel’ canisters clamped to the front downtube of the frame. Both canisters are linked by pipework, with a filler nozzle on the front apron, near the headlight. The scooter also features a battery pack under the floorboard to provide energy on demand and also store energy generated from deceleration or braking. The fuel cell stack is located below the scooter’s seat for ease of maintenance if required for servicing.

Although the patent doesn’t show details of the motor itself, it’s likely to be a hub-mounted unit, similar to the 4.4kW found on the existing TVS iQube battery-powered electric scooter. The overall exterior looks very similar to that of the current TVS iQube. While the iQube can do 140km before stopping for a 4.5-hour recharge, a hydrogen-powered version could be topped up in minutes from a hydrogen filling station.

How does a hydrogen fuel cell work?

Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity using a chemical reaction. A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction, not combustion. It is composed of an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte membrane.

A typical fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode of a fuel cell and oxygen through the cathode. On the anode side, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons. The protons pass through the porous electrolyte membrane, while the electrons are forced through a circuit, generating an electric current that is transferred to the controller and the motor. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water vapor which will be sent out as exhaust gas.

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