Suzuki Motor Corporation has just built MIO, a methanol fuel cell powered wheelchair. Judging by the picture, we’d say their design language is more little tikes than Suzuki. That said, the specs are still pretty impressive…
It is a motor-driven wheelchair that runs on electricity generated by the fuel cell unit. The company says that the new wheelchair is more user-friendly and boasts a longer travel range compared to the existing model mounted with a lead-acid battery.
The product employs a direct methanol fuel cell that directly supplies methanol to the cell for reaction along with a large-capacity Li-ion secondary battery. The wheelchair can run 40 km or more with one recharge (4 L) of methanol solution. It allows easier handling because there is no need to recharge from the mains power source. As for the details of the fuel cell unit and the Li-ion secondary battery, Suzuki PR explains, “We will not release the information because it is a prototype at this stage.”
Via Tech On!
