Mazda Leases Hydrogen RX-8

Mazda Motor Corporation has delivered two of its RX-8 Hydrogen RE models to corporate customers in Japan, marking the first leasing of an internal combustion engine vehicle that can use both hydrogen and gasoline as a fuel. The two companies, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. in Tokyo and Iwatani International Corporation in Osaka, Japan, will use the vehicles in their fleets as part of their participation in the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project (JHFC). By the end of 2006, Mazda plans to lease about 10 RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars to local government and energy companies.

RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars are equipped with a rotary engine and feature a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either high-pressure hydrogen gas or gasoline with the flick of a switch. When fueled by hydrogen, the vehicle emits no carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and near-zero nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as well as the natural driving feel of an internal combustion engine. Since it uses pre-existing engine parts and production facilities, the engine can be built with a high degree of reliability at a relatively low cost.
The vehicles that have been leased to Mazda's first two corporate fleet customers are based on Mazda's original body design but with specially added company decals for each customer's use.