Interview: Kazuhiro Doi, Alliance Global Director, Nissan

Nissan recently unveiled the world’s first Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell (SOFC)-powered vehicle at an event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is called the e-Bio Fuel-Cell car, and according to Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn, it “has great potential to drive market growth.”

Using 100% ethanol, or ethanol-blended water, the vehicle’s SOFC generates electricity to charge a 24kWh battery. As a result, Nissan believes it can offer customers the low running costs and environmental benefits of an electric vehicle (EV), while providing a driving range that is comparable to a conventional gasoline or diesel vehicle.

The OEM said it would conduct field tests on public roads across Brazil using the prototype. Speaking to Automotive World, Kazuhiro Doi, Alliance Global Director, Nissan, outlined the next steps for the technology.