QUANTiNO EV coupe licensed for European roads
Pioneering nanoFlowcell technology sidesteps conventional battery charging, refuels via twin ionic fluid tanksLichtenstein-based research and development company nanoFlowcell AG has acquired a licence for its latest QUANTiNO electric vehicle to be let loose for testing on European roads.
First previewed at the 2015 Geneva motor show, the compact 2+2 QUANTiNO coupe is 3.91 metres long and uses a drive system fuelled by twin tanks containing liquid electrolytes that can be filled at roadside service stations in essentially the same manner as a conventional fossil fuel vehicle. Fully topped up, the tanks are claimed to provide a range approaching 1000km.
Described as the nanoFlowcell drive, the system runs on 48 volts and produces 80kW through four electric motors. This is enough, according to the company, to accelerate the 1420kg QUANTiNO to 100km/h in less than five seconds.
The low voltage is claimed to provide advantages over regular high-voltage electric vehicles, contributing not just to the extended touring range, but also reducing the risk of electric shock.
The QUANTiNO's twin fuel tanks are filled with a non-flammable "ionic" liquid that is claimed to be not just harmless, but also cost-effective to produce. The filling process, similar to conventional fossil fuel systems, is via a hose and a refuelling nozzle. It offers a much speedier operation than a recharging station or an overnight charge via a power socket as required by a battery-powered EV.
The licence was issued by SGS-TUV Saar, a joint venture by the German SGS group and TUV Saarland e.V. that is based in Sulzbach, Germany, and enables nanoFlowcell to conduct test driving on public roads to confirm the system's suitability for everyday use.
The QUANTiNO EV is preceded by the bigger, heavier (5.25 metres long and weighing 2300kg) QUANT-E four-seat gullwing-door sedan that was first seen at Geneva in 2014 and is now also licensed for on-road testing.
nanoFlowcell AG also revealed details of a development of the QUANT-E, the 800kW QUANT-F, early this year.
The company plans to provide more details of its vehicles, plus other nanoFlowcell technology at this year's Geneva show in March.
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