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Mazda Begins Leasing Dual-Fuel Hydrogen Vehicle

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by Tideland Prius, Feb 20, 2006.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Mazda Begins Leasing Dual-Fuel Hydrogen Vehicle
    15 February 2006

    RX-8 Hydrogen RE
    Mazda Motor Corporation has begun leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE (earlier post) to its first two corporate customers: Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. and Iwatani International Corporation, both companies operating in the energy sector.

    The RX-8 Hydrogen RE is equipped with a rotary engine, and features a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch.

    Each company has leased one vehicle—the first lease contracts of a hydrogen-powered rotary engine equipped vehicle in the world. Delivery will take place in late March 2006.

    By the end of 2006, Mazda plans to lease about 10 RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars to local government and energy companies.

    The standard monthly lease price is ¥420,000 (US$3,574) with tax included (¥400,000/month (US$3,407 without tax ) which is almost half the monthly lease price of a fuel cell vehicle already available in Japan.

    Employing a dual-fuel system, the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE can run on either high-pressure hydrogen gas or gasoline, allowing the car to be driven in remote areas where hydrogen fueling stations are not readily available, easing driver concerns about running out of fuel.

                                      Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
                                     Gasoline                   Hydrogen
    Engine                         RENESIS hydrogen rotary
    Power                       154 kW (206 hp)       80 kW (107 hp)
    Torque                        222 Nm                       140 Nm
    Fuel tank          61 liters (16 gallons US)   110 liters@35 Mpa (350 bar)
    Range                    549 km (341 miles)    100 km (62.1 miles)

    The RENESIS Hydrogen RE incorporates an electronically controlled hydrogen gas injector system. The system draws air from the side port during the intake cycle and uses dual hydrogen injectors in each of the engine’s twin rotor housings to directly inject hydrogen into the intake chambers.

    For future versions of the rotary hydrogen cars, Mazda plans to incorporate the RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine with the emerging Mazda Hybrid System and an electric-motor-assisted turbocharger to enhance efficiency as well as the driving experience.

    Source: Green Car Congress
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Feb 20, 2006
  2. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    wow does it take a power hit on hydrogen. this might have potential as there is no fuel cell stack to cause problems. Cold weather starting problems, short mean time before failure, Icing problems in cold weather to name a few. And the big one Expensive. Where is the refueling infrastructure? I'll have to be universally avaiable before there will be any consumer interest. Then there's those lease payments! clutchs chest.
     
    #2 Frank Hudon, Feb 20, 2006
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    $3k a month? That's cheap considering Honda and Toyota were charging more for their FC cars.

    The cool thing is that it's on the rotary engine, the bad thing is, does it still use engine oil like it does on the regular car?
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Feb 20, 2006
  4. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    I've never been a fan of the egg beater mazda horrible on emissions as well. And if you ever get them hot, yup oil burner. Lots of power from a compact, size wise, power plant. Was looking to buy an airplane many years back till I found out it was Mazda rotary powered. Wouldn't mean anything to you but if you google Osprey 2 you'll see a very neat little homebuilt a/c.
     
    #4 Frank Hudon, Feb 20, 2006
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