Nissan has taken a different approach to eco-car technology and developed fuel cell technology

Nissan Motor Corporation recently announced that it has developed fuel cell technology
using bioethanol derived from plants such as sugar cane.
If this technology is applied to electric vehicles (EVs), it is expected to extend the range by about three times
the current level.
It will first be installed on commercial vans used in express delivery services, etc.
, and will be launched around
2020.

The new e-Bio Fuel-Cell uses a reformer to separate bioethanol into hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2), allowing the extracted hydrogen to chemically react with oxygen in the air in a device called a "stack" to generate electricity
.
As a vehicle stack, Nissan has adopted the reaction mechanism
of the "solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)" benchtop fuel cell (SOFC) for homes and offices for the first time in the world.

With this reaction mechanism, electricity can be generated
even if the purity of hydrogen extracted from ethanol is low.
The generated electricity is stored in the on-board battery, and the mechanism for driving with the power of the motor is the same
as that of conventional electric vehicles.

If the new technology is used simultaneously on a pure electric vehicle, the maximum range after one fuel charge can reach 800 kilometers
.
It can extend the range of pure electric vehicles to about
3 times.

Competitor Toyota introduced its first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle (FCV) Mirai in December 2014
.
IN MARCH 2016, HONDA STARTED LEASING AND SELLING
THE CLARITY FUEL CELL.
Both cars use high-purity hydrogen as fuel and only emit water when driving, so they are called the "ultimate eco-car"
.

On the other hand, the storage and filling of hydrogen requires dedicated infrastructure, so the spread is expected to take a long time
.

The bioethanol targeted by Nissan emits carbon dioxide when the car is driving, but absorbs carbon dioxide
as raw materials such as sugar cane grow.
As a whole, it does not increase the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, so it can be used as a countermeasure
to prevent climate change.
Nissan Vice President Hideyuki Sakamoto said that "in Brazil and the United States, bioethanol is already circulating, creating an environment that is more accessible than hydrogen.
"

In addition, Nissan believes that the cost of driving can also be reduced to the same level
as existing models of pure electric vehicles.
According to Nissan's estimates, the driving cost of the new technology is 3.
1 yen
per kilometer.
It can be controlled at the same level as existing electric vehicles (2.
9 yen) and lower than gasoline engine vehicles (9 yen).

Nissan has already started driving tests of a prototype car using the new technology, which is scheduled to be launched this
summer.
In 2020, the price of vehicles at the time of the launch of commercial vehicles will be controlled at the level of existing pure electric vehicles, not only in developed countries where the new generation of eco-cars has become popular, but also in emerging market countries such as Thailand
.