Water-based fuel could drive electric cars, startup suggests
The system from the company who was formerly known under the name Teragenic, contains three key elements: the liquid fuel (Electriq~Fuel) which reacts with a catalyst (Electriq~Switch) to release hydrogen on demand, then the spent fuel is captured and taken back to a plant where it is replenished with hydrogen and water for re-use (Electriq~Recycling). This entire process is inherently safe and enables zero emissions vehicles, the company claims.
The water-based liquid fuel is safe and stable at ambient temperatures and pressures. In comparison with other green energy competitors like lithium-ion batteries or compressed hydrogen technologies, Electriq~Global achieves twice the range at half the cost. The energy density is up to 15 times that of electric batteries currently in use in vehicles like those of Tesla.
A comparison of electric buses showed the buses powered by batteries provided a range of 250 km and required up to 300 minutes to recharge, whereas buses to be powered by Electriq~Fuel will provide a range of 1.000 km and could be refueled in 5 minutes.
Electriq~Global so far did not share details as to its technology. It however resembles the technology from automotive startup Nanoflowcell. The latter, based in the state of Liechtenstein, introduced several years ago a technology that also promises to generate electricity out of a liquid, the composition of which the company however keeps secret. Nanoflowcell has already built several sports car prototypes but so far has failed to present a series-ready car.
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