RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – During the inauguration of "Renova Bio 2030" program in the Brazilian capital, Nissan presented a green technology breakthrough: the first concept vehicle in the world to be powered by a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The car was driven from the event to Presidential Palace and exhibited to Brazilian President, Michel Temer.
The SOFC-powered prototype vehicle made is global debut in August during the Rio Olympics. Nissan's participation in Renova Bio with SOFC intends to continue communicating its vision for Intelligent Mobility from the world's top producer of biofuel ethanol, Brazil.
The SOFC concept is run via bioethanol electric power and delivers a driving autonomy of over 600 km. The new system features an "e-Bio Fuel Cell" with a power generator powered by a SOFC. This new technology leverages the reaction of various fuels with oxygen, including ethanol and natural gas, to produce highly efficient electricity.
The Fuel Cell prototype is part of Nissan's global commitment to the development of zero emission vehicles and new automotive technologies, including autonomous driving systems and connectivity. Nissan already has the world's best-selling 100 percent electric car, LEAF, and is a pioneer in intelligent mobility systems, many of which will be deployed in a new range of vehicles in the coming years.
In this latest development of zero emission technology, the prototype with e-Bio Fuel Cell is fueled 100 percent with ethanol to charge a 24kWh battery that allows an autonomy of more than 600 km. Nissan will conduct field tests on public roads in Brazil, using the prototype.
Research and development of the e-Bio Fuel Cell was announced by Nissan in June in Yokohama, Japan. The engine is clean, highly efficient and runs 100 percent with ethanol or water mixed with ethanol. Its carbon-neutral emissions are as clean as the atmosphere, which will be part of the natural carbon cycle. In addition, the e-Bio Fuel Cell offers live acceleration and quiet driving of an electric vehicle, along with its low maintenance costs, while at the same time owning the autonomy of a fossil-fueled vehicle.
The e-Bio Fuel Cell offers eco-friendly transportation creates regional opportunities for energy production and uses an infrastructure that already exists.
"In the future, the e-Bio Fuel Cell will become even more eco-friendly, with the possibility of using ethanol mixed with water, easier and safer to handle than other fuels – all this without needing to create a new infrastructure," said François Dossa, president of Nissan Brazil.
Existing infrastructure
Bioethanol fuels come mainly from sugarcane and corn. They are widely available in countries of North and South America, which have established infrastructure. Due to the easy availability of ethanol and the low combustibility of mixed water to ethanol, the system is not dependent or constrained by the existing charging infrastructure, making it easy to market. In the future, people will only need to stop by small retail stores to buy fuel.
To reach a zero-emission society and zero fatalities with automobiles, Nissan continues to promote the intelligence and electrification of vehicles. The concept of the brand, Innovation that Excites, is delivered with Nissan's Intelligent Mobility, which focuses on how cars are conducted, driven and integrated into society while providing a more enjoyable driving experience.
The e-Bio Fuel Cell will make real the "Nissan Intelligent Power" proposal, promoting greater efficiency and electrification of cars and the enjoyment of driving, as well as developing new battery technologies for electric vehicles, such as Which equip the Nissan LEAF, the Nissan e-NV200 and the "e-Power."
Nissan will continue to add value to its customers with systems that allow the extraction of electricity from various fuels, solving the problems of infrastructure linked to the power supply in all regions of the world.
| Specifications | |
| Base Vehicle | e-NV200 |
| Battery capacity | 24 kWh |
| Electricity Source | Electricity, Ethanol |
| Tank Capacity | 30 liters |
| Yield of SOFC | 5 kW |
| Autonomy | over 600 km |
| e-Bio – Fuel Cell Car Vehicle Prototype | |
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2015, the company sold more than 5.4 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 12.2 trillion yen. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan manages operations in six regions: ASEAN & Oceania; Africa, Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America and North America. Nissan has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and Mitsubishi Motors since 2016 under the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/. You can also follow @NissanMotor on Twitter.
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