The future is all gas. Ah well, jokes apart, its fuel cell (hydrogen)-powered personal gadgets, robot pets, vehicles, electricity-generating units and whole cities being lit up by fuel cells in the not-so-distant future.
Fuel cells offer an alternative power source that lasts long and when fitted into vehicles, makes driving as noiseless as working on a PC.
That vision, however, is still to take shape thanks to the prohibitive costs and the challenges of storing and controlling hydrogen flow. The speed breakers have not dampened the enthusiasm of developers from trying out fuel cell-powered vehicles, like the one you see in the picture.
It's an unimaginatively though practically named Emissions Neutral Vehicle (ENV) bike from UK-based Intelligent Energy. ENV motorbike is powered with a fuel cell, which replaces the petrol tank.
For hardcore bikers revving up, the ENV can be an unexciting experience — there are no gears, rumbling piston notes or chain rattle.
Hydrogen (from the fuel cell) and oxygen produce water and electricity to power the bike. At a running cost of about Rs 250 for 150 km and a top speed of around 80 km per hour, this prototype could be a winner for short runs. The bike would cost around Rs 2.5 lakh when it hits the market.
Apart from bikes, Intelligent Energy can help power homes as well. Closer home, Bhel, Teri, Gail and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), among others, are working on various fuel cell projects that seek to power everything from vehicles to houses. Hopefully, it will all take off one day, very soon.