Nissan announces world’s first bio-ethanol fuel cell car

First-ever bio-ethanol fuel cell car could give realistic 400-mile range, with zero CO2 emissions

Nissan has unveiled plans for the world’s first ever bio-ethanol fuel cell car, which mixes ethanol and natural gas with oxygen to produce electricity – directly powering the front wheels.

The fuel – either 100 per cent ethanol or ethanol-blended water – passes through a reformer, creating hydrogen to generate electricity via a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). This then charges the batteries and motor, creating rotational power transmitted to the wheels.

Bio-ethanol fuels, including those sourced from sugarcane and corn, are widely available in North and South America, as well as parts of Asia. European infrastructure is still in its infancy, so such a system is unlikely to reach UK showrooms any time soon.

Nissan assured that the company would continue its pursuit of a zero-emission society by “openly addressing the infrastructure issues tied to energy supply in every region of the world”.