Are energy efficient, hydrogen-powered cars be closer to reality than previously thought? Mazda announced last week that it’s the first automobile manufacturer to begin commercial leasing of a hydrogen hybrid vehicle, the hydrogen rotary Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. The first units will be delivered to local Japanese government authorities and energy-related companies later this year.
From Mazda; “The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid features a series-type hybrid drive train, which combines Mazda’s hydrogen rotary engine with an electric motor. The engine output is converted to electricity, which then powers the motor that drives the wheels. This hybrid system boosts the hydrogen fuel range of the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid to 200 kilometers, twice the range of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE, and increases the maximum output by approximately 40 percent, to 110 kilowatts. Mazda’s latest eco-car features many other forward-looking environmental technologies, including Mazda’s proprietary dual-fuel system, which enables the car to run on gasoline if hydrogen is unavailable, and interior parts made from Mazda’s plant-derived Biotechmaterials.”
from Mazda’s press page
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Eventhough mazdas debut of a hydrogen vehicle is way behind the competition, their efforts need to applauded.
http://wwwmygreenscene.com
In a way you can’t say Mazda is way behind the competition since “Mazda is the world’s first automobile manufacturer to begin commercial leasing of a hydrogen hybrid vehicle.” That seems to me that they are ahead of the competition in some regards since commercial uses of vehicles leads to a greater non-commercial use one would think. Especially if large companies help built the Hydrogen infrastructure necessary for large scale use.