Tomorrow will be a momentus day for Mr. Gumpert. He and his team have poured years of research into the world’s first methanol-fueled EV. You read that right, they have a fuel cell that converts methanol into hydrogen, producing voltage to charge the batteries. With the full unveiling schedulled for 5 PM CET tomorrow, Roland Gumpert has previewed the Nathalie First Edition.
When making gin, vodka, moonshine, or any clear liquor, methanol is the enemy. It causes blindness and a methanol fire is invisible. However, it stores a ton of energy in long carbon chains, so it makes the perfect fuel for dragsters and other high performance vehicles. Instead of burning it, the liquid is forced across a membrane that rips the carbons apart.
The result is voltage to power an electric motor at each wheel, or it can be stored in a battery for later use. The fuel is available at drag strips and almost all race fuel stations. The manufacturer claims a range of 500 miles and 536 horsepower. Only 500 examples are planned, at $460,000 each. We will have all the details after the formal unveiling tomorrow.
