Mazda's waste of range extended EV technology?

Dependent upon hydrogen?

I've been following Mazda's hydrogen vehicles for some time simply because if hydrogen moves forward, Mazda might have the perfect interim technology: vehicles that can run on both hydrogen and gasoline. Thus, infrastructure problems could be somewhat alleviated.

However, an even better idea is Mazda's hybrid version of this concept. Much like GM's Chevy Volt, Mazda's hydrogen hybrid would utilize hydrogen to generate electricity to power its version of a series hybrid, or range extended EV, as GM prefers to call the technology. Thus, much like the Volt, many Mazda hydrogen hybrid drivers might never need liquid fuel.

Still, hydrogen, right?

Nonetheless, it is interesting that Mazda is, and has been, developing technology very similar to the Chevy Volt, yet there is no buzz. Moreover, while hydrogen plug-in hybrids are a good long term focus, why not more focus on a pure gasoline version to challenge the Volt in the short term?

Hydrogen hybrid: Isn't the hydrogen highway closed?

Now if I could only find that hydrogen filling station

So, Mazda has received permission from the Japanese government to start leasing the Mazda hydrogen hybrid. Cool, right, especially since this hybrid can burn both gasoline and hydrogen?

Still, now the President Obama has put the kibosh on hydrogen funding, isn't the hydrogen highway closed here in America? Does hydrogen still matter?

Norway takes another step down the hydrogen highway

Where is America's HyNor?

Norway has a plan for the future of transportation energy and it's built around the hydrogen economy. That plan begins with HyNor, or Norway's hydrogen highway, which will connect Oslo to Stavanger - some 360 miles. On this hydrogen highway, commuters will be able to take hydrogen powered buses, taxis or drive in their own hydrogen-powered cars.

As a result Norway will purchase 30 Mazda RX-Hydogen RE vehicles as part of a larger collaboration between HyNor and Norway to develop the hydrogen highway (more).

In addition to Norway, the EU is also putting together plans for a hydrogen highway. Iceland is determined to become the first complete hydrogen society. Korea, an emerging player in the automotive world, is ramping up its hydrogen efforts.

Sure many of these countries are significantly smaller than America, but still, isn't it a little corny that America isn't more focused on the hydrogen highway?

Mazda believes in the hydrogen engine, hydrogen hybrids

Mazda's hydrogen hybrid

Mazda believes the future is along the 'hydrogen highway', but the automaker doesn't believe that autos on that highway should be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

"A hydrogen fuel cell is efficient but," Mazda executive Nobuhiro Hayama said on Monday, "a hydrogen engine was more practical because no change was needed in the materials and manufacturing process of engines." (Finish hydrogen hybrids)

Expect more Mazda hybrids?

A hydrogen combustion hybrid soon?

According to the InsideLine "Mazda is putting its money where its mouth is in the effort to become a green leader."

"Mazda has several interesting green options in the pipeline, including a hybrid-electric vehicle with a hydrogen-fueled combustion engine that is due next year."

Already Mazda offers the Tribute hybrid, but the company has indicated an interest in developing its own proprietary hybrid powertrain. Will this powertrain be limited to hydrogen? Will it be a flex-fuel hybrid - either hydrogen or gasoline?

Ultimately, there are more questions than answers regarding Mazda's green drive and how it relates to hybrid cars, but if Mazda is going green, it seems unlikely that the move won't include a serious hybrid effort.

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.