18 Years of Research in Mazda Vehicles Powered by Hydrogen

In 1991 Mazda introduced the Auto Salon in Tokyo model HR-X, the first vehicle equipped with a hydrogen rotary engine. This was the beginning of a long series of innovations, the Japanese developed in the 90s 5 other models able to operate on alternative fuel.

Mazda currently produces two models which use hydrogen as a fuel "Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE and Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid, both on public roads in Japan and recently in Europe.

Mazda rotary engine has chosen to integrate technology for hydrogen due to unique architecture, ideal for this type of fuel. The energy released from burning a quantity of hydrogen is less than the similar gas, offset the disadvantage of the design the combustion chamber and direct injection system for rotary engine. The combustion cycle longer rotary engine help hydrogen combustion efficiency.

Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen

The first concept model RX-8 used besides gas and hydrogen as fuel has been tested in 2004 and just two years later the first commercial vehicles were delivered to customers.

Originally developed in Japan, the model has been adapted for the market in Norway, where it is already used in the project HyNor (for creating an infrastructure based on hydrogen). Version for Europe is equipped with a manual transmission with 5 steps, the option of switching between walking in the two types of fuel elements and specific model RX-8 Facelift series - grille and rear spoiler redesenate, headlines with a new design and the brake lamps with LEDs, and wheel and central console us.

Because the hydrogen infrastructure is still in the beginning, Mazda has chosen not to produce a model that uses only hydrogen feed. Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen is equipped with a tank of gas, it needs providing fuel where hydrogen fuel is not available. The engine developed by Mazda for this model to develop 80 kW and provides an autonomy of 100 km, the emissions are zero.

Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid

Besides the "dual-fuel" of equipment RX-8 Hydrogen, Mazda5 and integrating hybrid technology combining hydrogen rotary engine with an electric generator. Unlike the RX-8, if this model, engine displacement is used for the electric drive providing hydrogen energy needed to generate electricity.

The battery has more features. It stores energy produced by the engine on hydrogen, captures the energy resulting from engine braking and feeding equipment. The system is controlled automatically, driver intervention is minimal. Decide if the vehicle is required starting or stopping the engine on hydrogen and battery charging or use. Passengers can see through indicators on board the way in which energy is used and the status of each element of the system.

To keep supplies Zoom-Zoom, the system is optimized so that the power increases proportionally with the energy released from rotary engine. Hybrid technology developed by the company grow considerably efficient vehicle Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid with an autonomy of 200 km. Hybrid system can generate up to 110 kW, with 40% more power than in the model RX-8 Hydrogen.

Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and includes items in the passenger-friendly environment. Board, center console, which put the reservoir of hydrogen and upholstery on seats and doors are made of "bio materials, using raw materials derived from natural substances.