Hydrogen-powered Riversimple Urban Car unveiled, makes your hybrid green with envy

Smug about your 65 mpg Prius potential? Don't be. A little car from up-start Riversimple looks set to deliver the equivalent of 300 mpg, running on hydrogen and utilizing a network of small fuel cells to power four motors, one per wheel. The recently unveiled prototype manages 240 miles on just 2.2 lbs of hydrogen, has a top speed of 50 mph, seats two (reasonably) comfortably, and looks a little like a smiling, new-age Citroen 2CV -- but will hopefully be a more enjoyable to drive. That considerable range means that the relative lack of hydrogen distribution stations is less of a problem (until you can get one for your garage), and an estimated monthly lease price of just £200 (about $330) makes it potentially affordable. The only question now is availability of the cars themselves, and since nobody's talking about that you needn't worry about delaying that appointment with your local Toyota dealer.

[Via TG Daily]

[superhobo Posted Jun 16th 2009 10:33AM]

Hehe, well, that can still mess up a tire or two.

[FAP FAP FAP Posted Jun 16th 2009 8:37AM]

why are environmentally friendly cars always ugly?

[ajeezy Posted Jun 16th 2009 10:32AM]

http://www.teslamotors.com/

http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com/

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0809_dodge_ev_quick_drive/index.html

I know what you mean though.

[freediverdude Posted Jun 16th 2009 8:40AM]

If they could get this thing to go 70-75 mph, and sell a little hydrogen plant to put in your garage with it, these would sell like hotcakes. Until then sadly it will be a fail.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 16th 2009 8:41AM]

If they put a small diesel engine in there. It would also compete easily.

However in a head on collision I think I would be happier in a Prius and a bit less dead.

[bluefootedboobies Posted Jun 16th 2009 12:59PM]

Rubbish.

It uses a carbon composite safety cell. It should be safer than a Prius.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 4:03AM]

when they make these concept cars they should make them look appealing. No-ones gonna buy this cos it looks like it came straight out of a kids toy box. People like the look of fossil fuel cars, with the bonnet and boot and dash and what not. James may (on top gear) showed a hydrogen car a couple years back and it had no dash or bonnet. The windscreen went all the way to the floor.

If they made hydrogen cars, or electric cars, look like actual conventional cars, then they would be more succesful. 300mpg or not, i'd be more inclined to buy a car if it looks nice.

But, i guess i have to give them some credit, people have to become more aware of the alternatives to fossil fuels, and governments have to start investing into R&D in these areas. At the moment, they seem to be letting private investors do all the work and thats just not good enough.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 16th 2009 8:58AM]

It may turn your friends green, but I doubt it'll be envy that's the cause.

[stridermt2k Posted Jun 16th 2009 8:58AM]

The lines are somehow reminiscent of a very pricey, very classic car from Europe who's name and full story escape me at the moment...

'lil help, classic car buffs?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 16th 2009 9:40AM]

@ strider,

You may be talking about the BMW Isetta 300 1957, not sure, could be the one you are thinking about.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1950-1959/1957-BMW-Isetta-300-red-fa-lr.jpg

[arkansized Posted Jun 16th 2009 10:11AM]

Maybe?
http://store.encore-editions.com/Gift/clascar30.html

[Kid Red Posted Jun 16th 2009 9:13AM]

There must be an upgrade package featuring green paint and two antennae for the hood.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 16th 2009 9:19AM]

What's not enjoyable about a Citroën 2CV? It's one hell of an enjoyable car to drive!

[idlemind1999 Posted Jun 16th 2009 9:32AM]

It does kinda look like a pitcher of grape Kool-Aid... OH YEAAAAAAHHHH

[Hackettman Posted Jun 16th 2009 9:47AM]

Invisible flames included for no extra charge.......

This thing is most likely the Pinto of hydrogen vehicles.....

[Martin C Posted Jun 16th 2009 10:04AM]

So how much does 2.2 lbs of hydrogen cost?

[peepeeland Posted Jun 16th 2009 10:21AM]

I feel like some guy in a dark jumpsuit and cape should drive this, with a top hat, monocle, and cane with crystal ball on the top.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 16th 2009 10:50AM]

try to copy Bugatti 1938 Type 57SC Atlantic??? try again..........lol

[repo105 Posted Jun 16th 2009 11:05AM]

Reminds me of the Adobe the car made of clay from SNL

[HektikLyfe Posted Jun 16th 2009 11:30AM]

This looks like something that Robin of Batman & Robin would drive.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 16th 2009 11:57AM]

Can somone say Hindenburg? 2.2 lbs of gas can be pretty explosive...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kknU6cpKWL0

[macserv Posted Jun 16th 2009 12:09PM]

GM has created compressed hydrogen tanks which deform grossly in a collision, and can reseal themselves. They can pretty much handle whatever you can throw at them in your typical automobile.

Also, anything with sufficient potential energy to drive a car is capable of producing violent damage in a bad enough collision. Even a wind-up spring big enough to drive a car would be extremely dangerous if it let loose suddenly.

[letstakeawalk Posted Jun 16th 2009 12:26PM]

Quantum Technology supplies hydrogen tanks to the US military that can survive being hit by .50 rounds.

[notice Posted Jun 16th 2009 12:01PM]

I would not drive it to my house, I would not, could not, with a mouse.

[BoomHeadshot Posted Jun 16th 2009 12:28PM]

It is kind of hideous....but in a good way. I would love to have one!

[jimgadgetman Posted Jun 16th 2009 2:19PM]

What a ridiculous piece of garbage. It's funny how the crowd who rants about US automakers producing "cars nobody wants" is, in reality, the very same crowd advocating and building cars that nobody wants. $330 a month for a 50-mph top speed in a tiny little POS? No thanks.

[Tenny Posted Jun 16th 2009 2:21PM]

It's so ugly, but I guess it's more about function over form.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 16th 2009 8:47PM]

the original cnet article quotes the cost of fuel as 25 cents per mile. So... about $7.50 to travel what Americans pay between $2 and $3 per gallon for.

seems astronomically expensive. your cute green mini batmobile is dead in the water imho.

[dosguy Posted Jun 16th 2009 2:44PM]

Top speed of 50? Better not try to sell that thing in New Jersey. You have to do better than 50 just on the on-ramps here.

[pfromg Posted Jun 17th 2009 7:28AM]

I would sooner rape mother earth and /or destroy the planet than be seen driving that.

[rufioh Posted Jul 21st 2009 8:40AM]

I would have thought that the most interesting point for us Engadget readers is that the car engineering and design is open source!
I'm not entirely sure I like the look of it (though at least it's interesting) but I'd love to see this thing being a success.