Segway may not be the most fashionable brand in the world of personal transport (unless you’re a mall cop living in Florida), but the company are at least hoping to up their glory game with the Tron-like Segway Apex H2 motorcycle.
The hybrid motorcycle is an impressive concept confirmed by Segway’s new owners, Chinese robotics start-up Ninebot, to go into production in 2023 and delivered the same year.
Key to the sci-fi looking two-wheeler is a hybrid hydrogen-electric powertrain that Ninebot claim has more than 80 horsepower for a top speed of 93 mph, and the ability to go 0-60 mph in less than four seconds. If the company makes good on that promise, the Segway Apex H2 motorcycle will easily be on one of the fastest Segways ever made.
Compare this to the OG Segway, now relegated to retiree tour groups at a measly top speed of 10 mph.
The Segway Apex H2 motorcycle’s powertrain will reportedly convert gaseous hydrogen into electrical energy using a specially designed fuel cell, which then feeds the energy into a buffer battery that powers an electric motor that drives the rear wheel. It’s unclear on whether or not this is via a chain drive or a hub motor, given the images available so far are only renders.
The floating visual effect that helps up the Segway Apex H2 motorcycle to look like an asset from Cyberpunk 2077 is due to the absence of any suspension forks. A single-sided front swingarm and hidden monoshock arrangement instead help the front wheel look like it’s floating on air.
Unlike the original Apex prototype which did the digital rounds in 2019 was was nowhere near as futuristic, this one will actually be heading to market – at least that’s what’s being promised by Ninebot.
The question is whether or not hydrogen stations will be more widespread by the time the Segway Apex H2 motorcycle is delivered. Given it’s only two years away, and they are only now starting to become more common – one having opened in Melbourne last year – it’s unlikely there will be many places to juice this one up.
Ninebot project a CN¥69,999 (AU$14,030) price point for the Segway Apex H2 motorcycle when it’s delivered sometime in 2023. Check out the best motorcycle helmets to wear once yours lands.
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