"We tailor QUANTiNO twentyfive for U.S. market."

nanoFlowcell is neither a conventional manufacturer nor a supplier dedicated to a single industry. As a research and development company, it has developed nanoFlowcell® energy-technology solutions for diverse sectors, covering both stationary and mobile energy supply applications. These include electric vehicles, off-grid and backup power supply systems, as well as mobile robotics.

The newly established US subsidiary will play a key future role, as it is intended to integrate planning and implementation expertise with partner-management functions. Several of nanoFlowcell’s key development partners are based in the United States. Consequently, CEO Nunzio La Vecchia intends to evaluate the establishment of a US-based nanoFlowcell research-and-development competence centre, an integrated complex for nanoFlowcell® membrane manufacturing, production of high-performance electric motors (up to 140 kW) with integrated power electronics, chip fabrication, bi-ION® electrolyte manufacturing and QUANT vehicle production.

“Electric vehicles powered by nanoFlowcell® are well aligned with the US market: long travel distances, an increasing emphasis on renewable energy and climate protection, and strong receptiveness to new technologies. In the United States, I have met many individuals who pursue what appears impossible and do not get bogged down by concerns,” says Mr La Vecchia. He adds: “Together with local US partners, we have developed a new generation of chips featuring nanostructures of only 2 to 3.5 nanometres, and our humaN48 AI project is also established here. I look forward to the upcoming US tour with the new QUANTiNO twentyfive and to advancing the progress of QUANT-City.”

Given nanoFlowcell’s significant partner network in the United States, the potential production ramp-up of the QUANTiNO twentyfive has been incorporated into an interdisciplinary virtual production-preparation process, and sourcing strategies have been aligned so that the vehicle could be manufactured entirely in the USA.

Production of the QUANT models should not be viewed solely as a factory composed of disparate equipment, but rather as an integrative, geographically-networked production system. QUANT-City’s objective is to develop a concept for a licensable production system comprising geographically distributed production units that are adaptive, scalable and reproducible.

“The production of the QUANT or QUANTiNO is not a challenge for us—both models are fully developed and supported by detailed specification plans. The roadster could indeed be built entirely in the USA,” says Mr La Vecchia. “Producing an electric car is not the real challenge; constructing a bi-ION® production facility is even more so! Without reliable delivery guarantees for our bi-ION® electrolyte fuel, there is no point in discussing a production date for our vehicles. A facility of this type, capable of economically viable output and scalable expansion, demands extensive planning across numerous levels. We cannot simply order a plant and erect it on greenfield land like a prefab house. Fortunately, we are not constrained by investors demanding short-term profits regardless of consequences. That said, we are working at pace with reliable and highly competent partners, though we recognise that complex projects require time. We do not intend to proceed by improvisation—we intend to get it right from the outset.”

“Due to the pandemic, completion of the QUANTiNO 25 was delayed by 12 months,” explains Nunzio La Vecchia, CEO of nanoFlowcell Holdings plc. “Originally, the vehicle was to be ready in time for our company anniversary. However, we did not wish to compromise the development process and wanted to bring the QUANTiNO 25 to series-production level. As a result, summer 2021 shifted to late summer 2022.”

“I am not focused on a date but on our objective: to build what is likely the most refined electric roadster in the world. We employ a globally unique, inherently safe 48-V low-voltage drive architecture, powerful and compact e-motors with integrated power electronics, an optimised flow-cell power unit, and two 125-litre tanks integrated into the body delivering ranges of up to 2,000 kilometres—combined with AI-defined functions for enhanced comfort and safety.”

In 2021, NFC celebrated its 25th anniversary, which would be crowned with the QUANTiNO twentyfive. However, most projects, including the planning for QUANT-City as well as QUANTiNO twentyfive were stalled due to the pandemic. Corona and the resulting interrupted supply chains for components abruptly brought all work to a halt.

For the QUANTiNO twentyfive, the engineers could not fall back on an existing off-the-shelf parts from established volume manufacturers. All parts are made to measure and optimized for series production. Replacing any component means evaluating it against the background of its influence on quality, longevity, and production costs. After a six-month delay due to corona, the QUANTiNO twentyfive rolls out of the workshop.

As the vehicle pulls away, the motors hum much like those in conventional all-electric cars, but by sound alone the QUANTiNO twentyfive gives no indication that it is the only electric car in the world running entirely without batteries.

The roadster’s appearance is at once familiar and refreshingly new. Its design lineage to the QUANTiNO 48VOLT is evident. The organically refined lines give the vehicle a distinctive character, an expression that declares: I am the future. The former vibrant yellow has been replaced with a bright, rich red; a three-dimensional roadster roof accentuates the striking roofline, and the new 20-inch wheels provide the required grip to convert the instant torque of the four multi-phase electric motors (each rated at 59 kW) into dynamic propulsion. All key functions can be controlled via the F1-style steering wheel.

Compared to the QUANTiNO 48VOLT test vehicle, the twentyfive offers significantly more usable space because the electrolyte tanks are no longer housed in the trunk but are integrated into the body structure. This integration is feasible because the bi-ION® electrolyte fluid used in the nanoFlowcell® flow-cell system is not subject to any hazardous-material classification.

The performance figures of the QUANTiNO twentyfive are currently provisional as part of testing the driving-dynamics limits of the torque-vectoring control and the anti-slip system. In series production, the vehicle is expected to be less extreme. Then the emphasis will shift away from absurd peak performance toward sensible daily performance. While speed and acceleration are intended to rank among the class leaders, the QUANTiNO twentyfive aims to embody meaningful electromobility that establishes new standards for ecologically rational driving enjoyment, comfort, maximal safety and extended range.