Nissan previously revealed a proof of concept device that could generate vehicle propulsion via electrical energy from bio-ethanol while emitting near-zero emissions, calling it a solid-oxide fuel cell. Now, though, they’ve plonked that powertrain into an actual vehicle with potentially game-changing results.
The e-Bio Fuel-Cell concept, as it’s being called, is based on a Nissan e-NV200 van but instead of its usual array of batteries like the Leaf EV, it has been replaced with the solid oxide fuel cell. It still uses a 24kWh battery used to store the electricity generated from the fuel cell, however, which enables an impressive claimed range of over 600km.
The solid oxide fuel cell system can also operate on an ethanol/water blend, which is less volatile than pure ethanol, as well as natural gas which. The ethanol-blend is most promising, however, as it can be substituted for petrol and diesel using present-day refuelling infrastructure to provide long-range near-zero-emissions clean energy for transportation.
The nature of the electric motor also means that the e-Bio Fuel Cell means the vehicle has all the brisk acceleration characteristics that we’ve come to associate with it – having the zero-rpm/max-torque – only without the range anxiety, long recharge periods, and gradual battery degradation. Its dramatically reduced dependency on batteries also means that a vehicle with a solid oxide fuel cell weighs much less and costs a lot less to produce.
Nissan will, of course, keep the pace of development strong with this new technology and potentially offer it in more varieties of vehicle too to showcase its viability as a true successor to internal combustion. They’re earmarking a 2020 commercial release, it seems.
Nissan president and CEO 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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