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France Based Pragma Industries is the First to Launch a Hydrogen-Powered Bicycle
A start-up in France called Pragma Industries has become the first company in the world to launch a commercial hydrogen-powered bicycle, which is expected to be used as a municipal vehicle or as a part of a corporate fleet.
Pragma Industries is currently located in Biarritz, France, and is specialised in manufacturing military grade fuel cells for the French military and has decided to use its expertise to develop this new hydrogen-powered bike for civilian use.
The company has managed to sell more than 60 hydrogen-powered bicycles to municipalities across France, which includes communes and cities such as Chambery, Saint Lo, Bayonne and Cherbourg.
However, the starting price of a bike is around 7,500 euros and the special charging station to supply hydrogen can cost an additional 30,000 euros. Because of this, the company is marketing the bicycle mostly to corporate customers. Nevertheless, Pragma believes it can cut the price down to 5,000 euros that can bring it on par with most premium electric bikes that are currently available in the market.
According to the company, its Alpha bike has a range of 100 km on a single two-litre tank of hydrogen, which gives it a range similar to most other electric bikes. But, refilling the bike only takes minutes while e-bikes may take hours at a time.
MOTORCYCLE TALK