Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has developed a new kind of fuel-cell that runs on ethanol instead of pressurized hydrogen. This is expected to allow the fuel cell to deliver a cheaper and much safer ride.

With this new technology, called the E-Bio Fuel Cell, Nissan aims to eliminate the common problem that comes with deploying cars that utilize conventional hydrogen fuel cells; a lack of refueling outlets.

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Nissan's new fuel-cell technology uses bio-ethanol, a compound that can be acquired from renewable crops like sugarcane and corn. The automobile manufacturer revealed that a large number of bio-ethanol refueling infrastructures are already in operation.

E-bio fuel cells also eliminate the need for carbon-fiber storage tanks used by traditional hydrogen systems, which in turn brings down manufacturing costs.

Moreover, these fuel cells do not use expensive metals such as platinum as a catalyst to generate electricity, another factor that could significantly reduce the cost of production.

The Japanese automaker plans to incorporate the technology into its fleet of vehicles by 2020, but before it can start rolling out the technology for mass production, the company said it still has to solve a number of issues.

One of the biggest problems Nissan cited is heat management since the bio-ethanol fuel-cell technology works effectively at high temperatures.

Unlike hydrogen fuel cells that release zero emissions, Nissan's system produces heat, water vapor, and carbon dioxide.

In a statement acquired by Automotive News, Nissan Executive Vice President Hideyuki Sakamoto said, "By using this fuel, it can have wider application. We do not require a hydrogen infrastructure. That is the biggest advantage, along with better safety."

Even though it is working on the E-bio fuel-cell technology, Nissan claims that it has not given up on the hydrogen fuel-cell systems and will continue to develop the traditional technology along with its partners Ford and Daimler AG.

Tagsnissan, EV, E-Bio, Ethanol, hydrogen fuel cells, fuel cells, E-Bio fuel cell