Mazda Begins Commercial Leasing of World's First Hybrid Rotary Hydrogen Vehicle

Mazda Motor Corp., a major Japanese automobile manufacturer, commenced on March 25, 2009, commercial leasing of the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, a hydrogen hybrid vehicle that offers substantially improved performance thanks to the addition of a hybrid system. Mazda is the world's first automobile manufacturer to begin commercial leasing of a hydrogen hybrid vehicle.

A rotary engine has a structure that minimizes the risk of abnormal combustion and thus makes the rotary engine very suitable for burning hydrogen fuel. Mazda is the only automaker thus far to have successfully commercialized the rotary engine and the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid is its second hydrogen rotary engine model that has been commercialized.

The hybrid system of the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid can efficiently convert hydrogen combustion energy to electric energy to drive the motor. The system doubled the hydrogen fuel range to approximately 200 kilometers compared to the former model, and also increased the maximum power output by about 40 percent, to 110 kilowatts. Furthermore, its usability has been also improved; the car can run on gasoline if hydrogen is unavailable.

The first units will be delivered to local government authorities and energy-related companies during 2009. The standard monthly lease is approximately 420,000 yen (about U.S.$4,285).

Hydrogen and the Rotary Engine
http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/rotary/hre/
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Mazda Begins Commercial Leasing of World's First Hybrid Rotary Hydrogen Vehicle
http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200903/
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Posted: 2009/07/17 06:00:15 AM

TAG Energy , Manufacturing industry