MAZDA STARTS LEASING ROTARY HYDROGEN VEHICLES

Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE

Japanese authorities approve leases with two companies in the energy sector

HIROSHIMA, Japan— Mazda Motor Corporation received permission from Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on February 10, 2006, to begin leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE to its first two corporate customers. These vehicles, equipped with a rotary engine, feature a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. Mazda has started limited leasing of the vehicles and today concluded leases with two energy-related companies, marking the first lease contracts of a hydrogen-powered rotary engine equipped vehicle in the world. Delivery of the vehicles is scheduled to take place in late March 2006.

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. and Iwatani International Corporation, both companies operating in the energy sector, have leased one vehicle each. By the end of 2006, Mazda plans to lease about 10 RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars to local government and energy companies. In 2003, Mazda exhibited a RX-8 hydrogen rotary vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show and received permission from MLIT in October 2004 to conduct public road tests for ongoing development and practical application of this advanced technology. Mazda undertook 29 months of development from the time of announcing the concept model to achieving the breakthrough, real-world rotary hydrogen vehicle.

Employing a dual-fuel system, the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE can run on either high-pressure hydrogen gas or gasoline. This combination offers excellent convenience because it can be driven in remote areas where hydrogen fueling stations are not readily available, easing driver concerns about running out of fuel. In addition, this system boasts great environmental friendliness—zero emission of carbon dioxide (CO 2) gas and near zero nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission when fueled by hydrogen—together with the natural driving feel of an internal combustion engine. It uses engine parts and production facilities that already exist in Mazda's inventory, so this innovative engine can be built with a high degree of reliability at a relatively low cost.

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

With the RX-8 Hydrogen RE, Mazda continues to advance the possibilities of the internal combustion engine and improve the performance of hydrogen-fueled rotary engine vehicles. It represents another Mazda contribution to a more environmentally friendly hydrogen energy society of the future.

Specifications and lease price of Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE

Vehicle
Type
Mazda LA-SE3P ‘Kai' (modified model)

Overall length/width/height
4.435mm / 1.770mm / 1.340mm

Wheelbase
2,700mm

Curb weight
1,460kg

Seating capacity
4 adults

Engine
Class
RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine

(Dual fuel system)

Type
13B

Displacement
0.654L x 2

Maximum output
Hydrogen 80kW (109PS)
Gasoline 154kW (210PS)

Maximum torque
Hydrogen 140Nm (14.3kgm)
Gasoline 222Nm (22.6kgm)

Fuel
Type
Hydrogen/gasoline switch

Fuel tank
Hydrogen 110L/35MPa ( 350 bar ) high pressure hydrogen tank
Gasoline 61L

Performance
Cruising distance

(10-15 mode)
Hydrogen 100km

Gasoline 549km

* Standard lease price
(Price without tax indicated in brackets.)
420,000 yen (400,000 yen) per month

*Monthly lease payment for the 30-month lease period.

<Reference> Mazda's hydrogen vehicle development milestones

1991
Developed the first hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X

1992
Test drive of golf cart equipped with fuel cell

1993
Developed second hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X2

Developed test version of MX-5 equipped with hydrogen rotary engine

1995
Conducted Japan's first public road test with Capella Cargo equipped with hydrogen rotary engine

1997
Developed Demio (Mazda2) FC-EV

2001
Developed Premacy FC-EV and conducted first public road test in Japan (with methanol reformer fuel cell system)

2003
Announced Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine vehicle development model

2004
Conducted the world's first public road tests of the RX-8 hydrogen rotary engine that can run on two types of fuel--hydrogen and gasoline