Fuel Cell Wheelchairs

Fuel cell technology is being developed at an alarming rate that will provide power to all sorts of energy using products – and wheelchairs are among those products. There is already a fuel cell wheelchair on the market that garners its power from hydrogen converting fuel cells rather than a standard, conventional battery.

Regular batteries just eventually “run out of juice”. Fuel cells recharge and rejuvenate themselves making them an everlasting power source. By powering a wheelchair with fuel cells, you are doing a favor to the environment as well as reducing the cost of operating a wheelchair for those who need it.

One of the prototypes for a fuel cell wheelchair is called the MIO. This fuel cell wheelchair features a fuel cell that uses methanol as a fuel source to generate hydrogen and therefore electricity. The “gas” tank holds about four gallons of methanol which is sufficient to provide the MIO with a range of approximately twenty-five miles!

There’s also an LCD display showing the fuel level as well as power sources. Therefore, unlike wheelchairs that rely solely on a charged battery, the fuel cell wheelchair addresses the user’s fear of being stranded away from home with a dead battery in their motorized wheelchair. A large capacity Li-ion secondary battery acts as a store for the electricity generated and a back-up source of power.

The MIO has a modern design in its fuel cell wheelchair that will appeal to wheelchair users. It features armrests that double as safety barriers. There are also ergonomic handlebars that require minimal effort even on full lock along with a seat that features a mesh-type fabric for good aeration and improved springing.

Fuel cell wheelchairs are just as safe as operating a conventional battery powered wheelchair, so users need not worry. The good part is that the energy is self-generating so the power will be there after a little rest. Fuel cell technology has come a long way since its first inception. It only follows that it will get into the various transportation markets – and that includes wheelchairs!

Many large companies have started getting into the fuel cell wheelchair market. As technologies emerge, we think that this will quickly become the wheelchair of choice among people who use wheelchairs. They are safe, economical, great looking, and easy-to-use. Fuel cell wheelchairs join the “green” movement as we all try to keep our Earth safe and prevent further destruction from chemicals that meet our transportation needs.