Filed under: Flex-Fuel, Hydrogen, Mazda
Mazda delivers hydrogen RX-8 to Japan Automobile Research Institute
Mazda has delivered another of there hydrogen fueled RX-8 REs, this time to the Japan Automobile Research Institute. The RX-8 RE is a dual fuel version of the Wankel Rotary powered sports car, able to run on either gasoline or hydrogen, much like the BMW Hydrogen 7. JARI is involved in developing standards for a Hydrogen Economy Society in conjunction New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. Hydrogen RX-8s have been running on public roads in Japan since October 2004 and six cars have been delivered to government and private groups in the past twleve months.
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HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has delivered one dual-fueled RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle, which runs on either gasoline or hydrogen, to the Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI)*1. The Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE has a rotary engine with a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either gasoline or hydrogen fuel with the flick of a switch.
JARI is working with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)*2 on the Establishment of Codes & Standards for a Hydrogen Economy Society project. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE will be used as part of its R&D activities to review the regulations regarding the safety of hydrogen vehicles, establish examination and evaluation techniques and create proposals for international standards. The hydrogen supply will mainly come from JARI's own hydrogen station at their facility in Tsukuba city.
Mazda is independently developing hydrogen cars with rotary engines as part of its efforts to promote an environmentally friendly society. It attained approval to test the RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle on public roads in Japan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) in October 2004. Since March 2006, Mazda has supplied six vehicles to government and private enterprises for use in various events and initiatives. From February 19 through 23, 2007, Mazda collaborated with the MLIT's Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau (HRDB) to conduct cold weather testing of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE in Muroran city, Hokkaido Prefecture. The vehicle delivered to JARI is the seventh RX-8 Hydrogen RE that Mazda has supplied.
*1 JARI is a public-service corporation of a test research organization established in April 1969. Its aim is to contribute to the healthy growth of automotive society by gaining a precise understanding of social needs through a wide range of research and vehicle testing. It is also dedicated to giving the results of its research and testing back to society to aid the public good.
*2 NEDO was established in 1980 through both public and private funding as a reservoir of expertise and technological strength. It is a research and development organization that focuses on industrial technologies to promote the creation of new industry and clean energies to solve to world's environmental problems.
JARI is working with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)*2 on the Establishment of Codes & Standards for a Hydrogen Economy Society project. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE will be used as part of its R&D activities to review the regulations regarding the safety of hydrogen vehicles, establish examination and evaluation techniques and create proposals for international standards. The hydrogen supply will mainly come from JARI's own hydrogen station at their facility in Tsukuba city.
Mazda is independently developing hydrogen cars with rotary engines as part of its efforts to promote an environmentally friendly society. It attained approval to test the RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle on public roads in Japan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) in October 2004. Since March 2006, Mazda has supplied six vehicles to government and private enterprises for use in various events and initiatives. From February 19 through 23, 2007, Mazda collaborated with the MLIT's Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau (HRDB) to conduct cold weather testing of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE in Muroran city, Hokkaido Prefecture. The vehicle delivered to JARI is the seventh RX-8 Hydrogen RE that Mazda has supplied.
*1 JARI is a public-service corporation of a test research organization established in April 1969. Its aim is to contribute to the healthy growth of automotive society by gaining a precise understanding of social needs through a wide range of research and vehicle testing. It is also dedicated to giving the results of its research and testing back to society to aid the public good.
*2 NEDO was established in 1980 through both public and private funding as a reservoir of expertise and technological strength. It is a research and development organization that focuses on industrial technologies to promote the creation of new industry and clean energies to solve to world's environmental problems.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris M 4:57PM (3/22/2007)
Wankel rotary engines are light and compact, unfortunately for technical reasons they are less efficient than standard piston engines.
No mention is made of the size of the H2 tank or the driving range on H2, but the car isn't big enough for a BMW style 30 gallon liquid H2 tank, therefore I suspect the driving range on H2 is rather short.
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Ian 9:14AM (3/23/2007)
Chris could you elaborate on the statement that the Mazda roatary engine is less efficient that a standard engine? After all the model above is really a 4 cylinder engine of only around 1,200cc in size?
Honda make a amall engine for use in prodcuing energy and heating (for water) in the home powered by natural gas. I would have thought the rotary engine ideal for such a job and wonder why Mazda doesn't go down this road as well?
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