Mazda announced electrification and connectivity strategies based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030.
It will use compact, lightweight electrification technology while further refining the internal combustion engine, which is forecast to be equipped in the majority of new cars for many years to come.
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The company said it would introduce electric vehicles as the optimal solution in regions that generate a high ratio of electricity from clean energy sources or restrict certain vehicle types to reduce air pollution.
- With a view to achieving a 90% reduction versus 2010 levels in its corporate average "well-to-wheel" carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, Mazda will deploy some form of electrification in all production vehicles by 2030.
- By 2030, Mazda expects that internal combustion engines combined with some form of electrification will account for 95% of the vehicles it produces and battery electric vehicles will account for 5%.
- In-house development of electric vehicles will leverage the advantages of electric drive systems.
- Mazda will develop two battery electric vehicles, one powered solely by battery and another that pairs a battery with a newly developed range extender powered by a small, lightweight and "exceptionally quiet" rotary engine. The range extender will recharge the battery when necessary to effectively increase the vehicle's driving range.
- The concept behind the rotary-powered range extender was to leverage the rotary engine's small size and high power output to make multiple electrification technology solutions possible via a shared packaging layout.
- Taking advantage of the rotary engine's compatibility with gaseous fuels, the rotary-powered range extender is designed to also burn liquefied petroleum gas and provide a source of electricity in emergencies.
Mazda said it would leverage an alliance with Toyota in the development of connectivity technology.
