Mazda Launches Japanese Lease Program for Hydrogen-Electric Hybrid
By John O'Dell March 25, 2009
A year after road testing began, Mazda has launched commercial leasing in Japan of its hydrogen-electric Premacy hybrid delivery van.
The exteded-range system uses a hydrogen-fueled Mazda rotary engine to generate power for a 110 kilowatt electric drive motor. Electrical energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack while the hydrogen fuel for the internal combustion engine-generator is stored in a 5,000 psi high-pressure tank.
Mazda says the hydrogen-electric series hybrid system (similar to the gasoline-electric system used in the upcoming Chevrolet Volt) gives the 5-seat van a range of 125 miles on a tank of fuel.
The automaker has been developing hydrogen-burining rotary engine technology since 1991 and last year began testing hydrogen-rotary RX8 sports cars. The hydrogen-electric Premacy van, introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, is the first to use engine in a series hybrid setup.
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