Nissan is working on a system that will power cars with electricity generated from bio-ethanol.
The Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell (SOFC) system is claimed to be the world first for automotive use. It features an e-Bio Fuel-Cell with an SOFC power generator.
SOFC is a fuel cell that uses the reaction of several fuels, including ethanol and natural gas, with oxygen to generate electricity.
The e-Bio Fuel Cell produces electricity via the SOFC power generator using bio-ethanol stored in the vehicle.
Nissan says that unlike conventional fuel cell systems, the e-Bio Fuel Cell will feature the SOFC at its power source.
It provides the vehicle with cruising ranges similar to petrol or diesel powered cars of over 600km.
Apart from this, the new e-Bio Fuel Cell will feature a silent drive, linear start-up and quick acceleration, offering drivers the advantages of a pure electric vehicle.
According to Nissan, the fuel-cell system will use chemicals that will react with oxygen and generate electricity in the process, without releasing harmful emissions and byproducts.
Using bio-fuel in the e-Bio Fuel Cell will result in an eco-friendly transportation system and will reduce the dependency on oil import without making significant changes to the existing infrastructure.
Nissan also says that handling bio-ethanol or bio-fuels are easy and safe to handle especially, ethanol-blended water. Easy handling removes the limits on creating a new infrastructure with great potential for market growth.
According to the Japanese automaker, the cost of running these new fuel cell vehicles would be on par with today's electric vehicles. It will be beneficial for people, businesses and the environment because it takes very less time to refuel, will offer long range and will have zero emissions.
