The Seniorcar Mio wheelchair does not require users to recharge the vehicle by plugging it into a household power socket, according to the major maker of compact cars, motorcycles and electric wheelchairs.

The vehicle will be displayed at a three-day international trade fair for welfare vehicles and equipment, which will get underway Wednesday at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center.

The methanol-based fuel cell generates electricity on the basis of chemical reactions between methanol and oxygen.

The Mio provides an advantage over Suzuki's current lineup of electric wheelchairs as its latest wheelchair, whose lead storage battery requires recharging for as long as eight hours, could travel only 27 km.

Utilizing (4 L) of methanol a travelling distance of over 40km is possible.

Japan's market for electric wheelchairs stands at 20,000 units a year. Suzuki, which accounts for 10,000 units of the market, said it is considering releasing the Mio to the market.