Jakarta, INTI — Amid the growing demand for environmentally friendly yet high-performance vehicles, Indonesia has once again showcased innovation through the PLN ICE 2024 competition held at the end of last year. The event, which brought together dozens of universities, produced a promising solution to the long-standing challenges of emissions and energy efficiency in the automotive sector. A team of students and lecturers from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) Bandung introduced a prototype hydrogen-powered racing motorcycle an innovation that combines clean energy, smart technology, and high engine performance. This breakthrough is believed to offer a new foundation for developing safer, more efficient, and sustainable future vehicles.
The First Campus-Made Hydrogen Motorcycle: FCEV Jawara
The UPI team developed a hydrogen-powered racing motorcycle named the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Jawara, which operates by converting hydrogen into electricity through a fuel cell. This electricity then powers the electric motor, while its only by-product is pure water vapor completely emission-free and noiseless.
According to team member Muhammad Zidan, the motorcycle is currently projected for the mid-to-high-end segment due to the sophisticated technology and advanced components it uses.
Hydrogen-Powered with Intelligent Features
FCEV Jawara is designed with a futuristic appearance and modern safety systems. Its key features include:
- Hydrogen sensor to detect leaks and enable automatic cut-off
- IoT system for monitoring gas pressure, engine temperature, and energy consumption via smartphone
- GPS tracker for vehicle tracking
- RFID security system, similar to technology used in Tesla vehicles
- Anti-theft feature that allows the owner to remotely shut down the engine via SMS
In addition to hydrogen, the motorcycle is equipped with a Lifepo 48V 50Ah battery as backup power, supported by regenerative braking.
Development Process: 8 Months from Design to Assembly
The motorcycle was developed by 10 Automotive Engineering Education students from UPI with support from two lecturers from the Faculty of Industrial Technology Education. The idea emerged from the PLN ICE 2024 competition, which involved 30 universities.
Development timeline:
- 5 months for design
- 3 months for assembly
Testing was conducted around Bandung City and the UPI campus area.
Test results showed:
- Power: 2.4 HP
- Torque: 55 Nm
- Range: 428 km per 2 liters of hydrogen
- Maximum speed: limited to 81 km/h, but can reach 150 km/h if full battery power is used
- Battery range: 90 km at 50 km/h
Production Challenges and Future Development
Although around 80% of the components are sourced domestically, the fuel cell still has to be imported from Mexico. The team believes that the motorcycle requires further refinement, especially in the propulsion system and weight reduction to improve efficiency.
Nevertheless, the FCEV Jawara stands as a significant milestone in Indonesia’s development of hydrogen-powered vehicles, opening new opportunities for research and future industry growth.
Conclusion
The development of the FCEV Jawara by the UPI Bandung team demonstrates Indonesia’s strong potential in next-generation vehicle technology. By integrating clean energy, smart features, and high performance, this innovation not only addresses the demand for sustainable mobility but also supports the growth of a green automotive ecosystem in the country. With continuous development, this hydrogen motorcycle created by Indonesian students could become a pioneer in the nation’s eco-friendly vehicle industry.
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