Japanese OEM Mazda has announced the electrification and connectivity strategies that will carry forward its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 project. As part of this, Mazda has revealed that the rotary engine will return to its line-up in the form of a range-extender.
With a view to achieving a 90% reduction compared with 2010 levels in its corporate average ‘well-to-wheel’ carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, Mazda has promised to deploy some form of electrification in all production vehicles by 2030.
Mazda will develop two electric vehicles, one powered solely by battery and another that pairs a battery with a range extender powered by Mazda’s small, lightweight and quiet rotary engine.
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 solutions possible via a shared packaging layout.
Taking advantage of the rotary engine’s compatibility with gaseous fuels, the range extender will also be designed to burn liquefied petroleum gas and provide a source of electricity in emergencies.