Press release

Concept vehicles are breaking records

Since October 2001 three very different concept vehicles developed in Switzerland repeatedly made headlines.

Three very different concept vehicles broke records and made headlines of Swiss newspapers in the twelve months since October 2001.

High-speed electric bike

The first record was broken by the IntelliBike of the University of Applied Science in Biel. To develop the IntelliBike electric racing cycle for the World Solar Challenge in Australia in October 2001 has been one of the most challenging projects of the Technical school in Biel. On the 3025 km long World Solar Challenge across Australia the Swiss team reached a top speed of just over 100 km/h with this ultra light and energy efficient electric bike.

The cycle is lightweight on account of its carbon fibre frame and lithium polymer battery. The wheel hub motor has a maximum output of 1000 W. Its efficiency level reaches 96% at 570 revolutions a minute and 13 Nm. The intelligent motor steering takes account of pedalling frequency, rider performance and heartbeat. Energy consumption is 1.8kWh per 100km at an average speed of 66 km/h on the 3,025 km-long course across Australia.

Fuel Cells at 2006 m

In February 2002 the news of another record hit the headlines when researchers of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI drove their hydrogen powered «Hy.Power» concept car to the 2006 m high Simplon Pass at temperatures far below 0° C. Never before had a hydrogen powered fuel cell car reached such altitudes.

The fuel cells have been developed at the PSI near Zurich together with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. Some electricity is stored in supercapacitors developed by the Swiss company Montena Components Ltd. in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne. Last summer this French Swiss company has merged with Maxwell Technologies Inc. in San Diego, California.

Driving on Supercapacitors only

Montena components Ltd. also provided supercapacitors for the Tohyco Rider hybrid electric bus of the University of Applied Science of Central Switzerland near Lucerne. This bus had its first public showdown shortly before summer holidays. This serial hybrid bus runs up to 5 km on supercapacitors only that are recharged by induction.