Japanese auto maker Mazda has predicted hydrogen-powered cars will not be widely produced before 2020.
At an international oil conference in Spain, Mazda executives said the hydrogen cars would not be mass produced for the public until infrastructure, including refueling stations, is put in place.
Mazda is one of several auto makers working on the development of hydrogen-powered cars amid growing concerns over soaring oil prices and pollution.
Electric-powered vehicles are also in the works.
Earlier this month, Japanese manufacturer Honda started the first commercial production of a hydrogen-powered car which run on an electric motor powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
They will go on sale to residents of southern California by the end of August.
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Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mazda test drives hydrogen hybrid vehicle
apanese car maker Mazda had begun testing a hydrogen/petrol hybrid vehicle on public roads.
The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid minivan has a range of 200km on hydrogen fuel, which increases to 550km when running on petrol. The 4.5 metre-long vehicle can hold five passengers.
"We will continue to advance our development programme and strive to start commercial leasing during this fiscal year," said Akihiro Kashiwagi, Mazda's programme manager in charge of hydrogen RE development.
The vehicle is powered by a hydrogen rotary engine, which can run on hydrogen and petrol, and an electric motor. The driver can switch between the two fuel sources by pushing a button.
Hydrogen is stored in a high-pressure tank, while a generator is used to charge lithium-ion batteries which power the electric motor.
From information released by Mazda, it is not clear whether the rotary engine can drive the Premacy's wheels directly.
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