Mazda exploring hydrogen hybrids

Is Mazda pulling a Ford?

At NAIAS Ford announced plans to develop hydrogen plug-in hybrid vehicles. Of course, such vehicles would still require some sort of hydrogen highway, even though the plug-in feature would minimize the need for regular hydrogen fueling.

Now Mazda, a part of the Ford family, is also developing a hydrogen hybrid, however, this hybrid is a bit different than the Ford concept. Unlike Ford's hydrogen hybrid, Mazda's hydrogen hybrid would use Mazda's rotary engine according to reports. Since Mazda has been developing a flex-fuel rotary engine - one that could use either gasoline or hydrogen - Mazda's hybrid could be much more consumer friendly.

Regardless, such a development seems to indicate that the evolution of hybrid cars could become quite interesting in the very near future.