Nissan has unveiled the world’s first solid-oxide fuel cell vehicle ahead of the Rio Olympics which the Japanese firm is helping to sponsor.
The advanced prototype, dubbed the e-Bio Fuel-Cell, is the latest development in Nissan’s push for new and innovative zero-emission vehicles and promises an exceptionally long range while running on multiple fuels, including ethanol and natural gas.
When running on 100 per cent ethanol, the Nissan e-Bio Fuel-Cell prototype can travel over 373 miles (600 km) on a single charge thanks to its 24kWh battery pack. As public tests of the car continue throughout Brazil, improvements to the car could see that range figure increase.
As the car runs purely on ethanol or ethanol-blended water, its carbon emissions are as clean as the atmosphere. Such a vehicle could prove particularly popular in countries throughout North and South America were bio-ethanol fuels made from sugarcane and corn are easily available.
Unlike an electric vehicle, the car doesn’t need to rely on charging stations and could be fuelled up from small retail stores.
Discussing the car, Nissan president and chief executive Carlos Ghosn said “The e-Bio Fuel-Cell offers eco-friendly transportation and creates opportunities for regional energy production…all the while supporting the existing infrastructure. In the future, the e-Bio Fuel-Cell will become even more user-friendly. Ethanol-blended water is easier and safer to handle than most other fuels. Without the need to create new infrastructure, it has great potential to drive market growth.”
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