06/09/2008 09:10. TOKYO — Nissan on Friday said it has developed the world's first inverter using silicon carbide diodes for use in alternative-fuel vehicles, including fuel-cell vehicles, electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

"At Nissan, the inverter is regarded as one of the key technologies in electric-powered vehicle development along with the motor and the battery," the automaker said in a statement.

Nissan said it has kicked off tests using an X-Trail fuel-cell vehicle with the new technology, which it calls the... // Edmunds.com/Inside Line