Tech track: Prototype electric car runs on water
The Swiss research and development company NanoFlowCell has been working on a new type of electric car, one without a conventional battery.
Their prototype vehicle, the Quantino TwentyFive, is claimed to have a 2,000km range, be recharged in minutes and has no battery pack.
It is powered by four 60kW electric motors and has a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 2.5 seconds.
The Quantino TwentyFive uses a flow cell, similar to a fuel cell like that of a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, but it contains no precious metals and rather than using hydrogen it uses a water-based biofuel called bi-ION.
The bi-ION starts as seawater or wastewater and after purification it has suspended nano-structured bi-ION molecules added that create an electric current when passed over a semipermeable membrane.
The bi-ION technology uses a positively charged electrolyte and a negatively charged anolyte which meet in an ion-selective membrane, generating electricity.
Unlike hydrogen, the fuel does not need to be compressed and is non-flammable.
As bi-ION is just a liquid there is the possibility it may be able to be used with conventional fuel bowser equipment.
One downside is that the vehicle has no regenerative braking like a conventional BEV, so given it is still relatively heavy, brake wear will be increased.
The Quantino was first showcased in 2016 and not much has been heard from the company since then, however they have now announced plans to expand to the US following the implementation of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.
BYD reveals luxury electric SUV
BYD has unveiled its new premium brand, YangWang, and showcased its first vehicle, the U8 SUV.
The YangWang U8 is a massive 5.3ms long with a wheelbase of 3.05m.
To put this in perspective, that’s 300mm longer than the new Landcruiser 300.
The U8 has an abundance of power, featuring four electric motors, one for each wheel.
Each of these delivers between 220kw and 240kW (peak) and 320Nm to 420Nm of torque. They can propel the large SUV from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.
Because it has four motors, the U8 has the ability to perform a ‘tank turn’ where it can turn itself around on the spot.
BYD says the all-wheel drive system is so smart that it can compute at speeds 100 times faster than current systems.
They say it can stabilise the vehicle in milliseconds in the event of tire blowout or steering wheel malfunction.
The flat tyre mode allegedly allows you to continue driving at 120 km/h.
Another interesting feature is the water-sealing properties.
The motors are rated IP68 for water and dust protection, while its body offers such sealing technology that allows the SUV to float when driven through water.
If the U8 makes it to Australia it won’t be cheap with an estimated price tag of $215,000.
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