La Vecchia: "A little nanoFlowcell doesn't work."

If one takes a closer look, we have by no means been idle — quite the opposite. Over the past months we have been working intensively on the complete reengineering of the QUANTiNO twentyfive. This is not just a superficial update with a removable roof; rather, it is a fundamental redevelopment. With this new vehicle we are integrating 25 years of innovation research together with the extensive insights gained from over seven years of ongoing development and more than 500,000 test kilometres in the QUANTiNO 48VOLT. The result is a car that represents the synthesis of our accumulated know-how and experience.

At the same time, we have had to think carefully about how our company itself must evolve. The step from being a primarily laboratory-based R&D operation to becoming a company capable of development, industrial production, and global growth is not trivial. We have evaluated multiple strategic options — including partnerships, acquisitions, or even going public — all while pushing our technology toward production readiness. These dual processes, corporate and technological, are complex and require time. So while it may seem quiet on the outside, beneath the surface we are laying crucial foundations for the next stage of our journey.

I will be frank: in past years one of the obstacles was my own limited availability as CEO. I became involved in a personal legal dispute in Switzerland, a defamation matter that required legal proceedings and consumed much of my energy and focus. Thankfully, this issue was resolved by mutual agreement in August 2018, which means I can now fully concentrate again on steering our company forward.

At present, our number one priority is establishing a pilot production facility. This is a cornerstone of our QUANT City project, which is intended to serve as an international knowledge and development hub for flow cell technology and its applications. In recent months we have examined numerous potential sites, carried out detailed feasibility studies, and are now close to selecting the final location. We expect to make this decision within the first half of the year, which will be an important milestone for us.

One of the most critical tasks is demonstrating that our nanoFlowcell® membranes and bi‑ION® electrolyte can be produced on an industrial scale without any loss of performance compared to laboratory prototypes. Success here will silence many critics. Some demand independent laboratory testing already, but often such demands are motivated by attempts to gain early and inexpensive access to our proprietary technology. Industrial espionage is a reality in this sector, and we must protect our intellectual property until we are ready to commercialise at scale.

Correct. Selling was always only a theoretical consideration. Our vision has always been to maintain independence and control over our strategic direction. However, that does not mean we avoid cooperation. On the contrary: we have benefited from technical support from several manufacturers over the years, and many of these partners remain closely engaged today.

That said, a significant technical challenge remains: we must convincingly demonstrate that both the nanoFlowcell® membrane and bi‑ION® electrolyte can be scaled up for mass production while maintaining their laboratory-level performance. Another barrier is the ecosystem itself: potential partners worry about dependency, because nanoFlowcell® is not compatible with existing battery-based infrastructures. This is why we often say: a little nanoFlowcell doesn’t work. The system must be implemented fully, not partially, to unlock its true potential.

Automakers are in the midst of a fundamental transformation. They are not only revising propulsion technologies but are also rethinking entire business models. This is not an evolutionary process; it is disruptive. Our nanoFlowcell® 48VOLT low-voltage drive is one of the few technologies that combines ecological sustainability with true economic viability.

Yet, many manufacturers hesitate because the implications of adoption are profound. It would mean reorganising large parts of their supply chains, retraining teams, and rethinking decades of investment in conventional systems. Change at this scale is daunting. Some executives liken electric mobility to a party, saying: “If you arrive too early, you stand alone. If too late, you miss everything.” I would counter that this is not a party but a race — and in a race, arriving too late can cost you the future.

It would be a gathering where everyone arrives together, simultaneously, without exclusion. The message is simple: why wait? A vehicle powered by nanoFlowcell® is more than competitive — it offers range comparable to diesel, zero emissions, rapid refuelling, and the unmatched inherent safety of our 48V low-voltage system. Ask yourself: if you could own a car that is safer, faster, more sustainable and no more expensive than a conventional petrol car — why would you delay?

From a technical perspective, this is far simpler than it appears. Refuelling a nanoFlowcell® vehicle is as straightforward as filling a petrol tank — you either swap or refill the bi‑ION® electrolyte. The challenge is not the technology but scaling production and building logistics. Once large-scale production of electrolyte and membranes is in place, distribution can easily adapt. We intend to provide fuel-station operators with a practical business model that builds on existing structures rather than replacing them.

A crucial point here: bi‑ION® electrolyte is non-flammable, non-explosive, and completely harmless to human health and the environment. This means it does not require hazardous materials classification, and therefore infrastructure adaptation is both simpler and more cost-effective than building out a global charging network for conventional EVs.

In theory, yes — but in practice, our early start gives us a substantial head start. Some companies are investigating mobile fuel cells, but as far as we know, none is developing a fully integrated powertrain system combined with a road-legal prototype. Closing that development gap will take considerable time.

Our advantage is systems integration: we are not only developing the nanoFlowcell® itself but are combining it with low-voltage motors, power electronics, and the architecture of a complete drive system. This holistic approach is what sets us apart and secures our leadership position.

Passion is important — you must believe in what you create. My background in professional racing has shaped this conviction. Ideally, we would already have fleets of QUANT 48VOLT and QUANTiNO vehicles on the roads. But realistically, this depends on the mass production of membranes and bi‑ION®. The development is progressing; components of our production line already exist, and additional facilities will soon follow. Time is pressing, and our focus is fully on QUANT City and scaling production.

But vehicles are only the showcase. In fact, the larger potential market lies in stationary power systems and in fields like robotics. Here, the advantages of a low-voltage, thermally safe, and eco-friendly energy source are particularly striking.

Both are realistic. The scalability of nanoFlowcell® makes it suitable for diverse applications. In stationary contexts, it can replace diesel generators, act as decentralised power units, or provide backup to critical systems. The principle is simple: we convert renewable energy into stored chemical energy that can be deployed flexibly wherever it is needed. Technically, megawatt-scale units are possible today, though our focus is on decentralised kilowatt systems.

Correct. But what sets our approach apart is the combination of technology and service. With nanoFlowcell®, we don’t just deliver renewable energy technology; we also offer energy‑leasing models. Instead of investing capital in their own energy infrastructure, customers lease a defined energy allocation from us — capacity they can draw on reliably, without the burden of building or maintaining assets.

This allows companies to decouple from the public grid and still secure a guaranteed, uninterrupted supply — a decisive advantage for energy‑intensive production and for critical infrastructure. Our promise of availability is backed by insurance, which financially underwrites our continuity of supply and mitigates the risk of downtime.

In simple terms: with nanoFlowcell®, customers gain predictable access to clean, renewable energy — regardless of time and weather — while being protected against blackouts.

For clarity, our focus remains integrated research and development. We do not plan to manufacture end‑applications or run financial and insurance services ourselves; we partner with specialised providers for those components while we concentrate on the core technology.

We will list as an R&D company, with revenues driven by licensing and intellectual property, not by car sales. Our priority is not rushing to IPO but waiting until our business model is fully mature, production is proven, and our IP is protected. The launch of QUANT City will be the signal for this step.

While we are not dependent on an IPO for financing, becoming a public company will increase visibility and credibility and help secure our technology against infringement.

“These are exciting times for nanoFlowcell.” We are laying the essential cornerstones for our future. We believe deeply in the potential of nanoFlowcell® technology. In a world where mobility and energy demand are constantly growing, nanoFlowcell® provides an environmentally sound and economically viable solution. For us, it represents the win-win technology of the future — and at present, we see no real alternative.