When you think of “quirky motorcycles,” the VanVan has always occupied a special corner of the room. Not quite a scrambler. Not quite a minibike. More of a mischievous street-sand hybrid. And soon, it’s coming back—with electricity in its veins.

Hydrogen motorcycles keep getting talked about as the next big thing, but right now they’re still more idea than reality. While most of the conversation focuses on cars and buses, two-wheelers haven’t been standing still. Over the years, a range of prototypes and concept bikes have tried to prove that hydrogen could work on motorcycles.