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Adrian PatonMazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE in Norway
October 16th 2008 05:30
The Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE is one of a new breed of vehicles that balances the needs of the driving enthusiast and the environmentalist with a blend of alternative power via a fuel system that consists of a high-pressure hydrogen tank.
Featuring an electronically controlled hydrogen injector system, with the hydrogen injected in a gaseous state, the system in the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE draws air from the side port during the intake cycle and uses dual hydrogen injectors in each of the engine’s twin rotor housings to directly inject hydrogen into the intake chambers.
Separate chambers for intake and combustion makes the rotary engine ideal for burning hydrogen without the backfiring normally associated with traditional piston engines. The separate induction chamber also provides a safer temperature for fitting the dual hydrogen injectors with their rubber seals, which are susceptible to the high temperatures encountered in a conventional reciprocating piston engine.
This unique Mazda has been introduced in Norway in collaboration with the Norwegian national hydrogen project, HyNor - the first time a Mazda hydrogen rotary vehicle has been put into regular use on public roads outside Japan.
The Official Mazda Press Release:
HIROSHIMA, Japan - Mazda Motor Corporation today introduced the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE (Rotary Engine) vehicle to Norway's public roads in collaboration with the Norwegian national hydrogen project, HyNor.
Initially, the RX-8 Hydrogen RE's driving performance on Norwegian roads will be validated with a single vehicle, which will also be shown at various events. This marks the first time that a Mazda hydrogen rotary vehicle has been put into regular use on public roads outside Japan.
Mazda signed a memorandum of understanding with HyNor (Hydrogen Road of Norway) to participate in the project in November 2007. HyNor is a national project in the Kingdom of Norway that aims to establish a clean energy transport system based on hydrogen fuel. Beginning in fiscal year 2009, Mazda will provide approximately 30 RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles for the HyNor project under commercial lease contracts.
The RX-8 Hydrogen RE validation vehicle is being delivered in advance so that Mazda and HyNor can jointly assess its driving performance in Norway. It will also be exhibited at environmental and other events for potential customers who are interested in leasing a hydrogen vehicle.
"Up to now, real world use of Mazda's hydrogen rotary vehicles has been limited to Japan. Participation in the HyNor project marks our advancement to the next stage," says Akihiro Kashiwagi, Mazda's program manager in charge of hydrogen RE development. "After we validate the first vehicle on Norwegian roads, we intend to deliver 30 more units under commercial lease contracts. We are pleased to be a part of the establishment of a society based on hydrogen energy in Norway. Mazda plans to use the wealth of data and experience that will result from this project for the further development of hydrogen vehicles."
HyNor is a unique Norwegian initiative to demonstrate the implementation of a hydrogen energy infrastructure along a 580 kilometer route from Oslo to Stavanger in Norway. Hydrogen filling stations are being established along this transport corridor to enable refueling of hydrogen vehicles. The project aims to revolutionize transportation in Norway by encompassing buses, taxis and private cars, and varying types of transport systems, including urban, inter-city, regional and even long-distance transport. In August 2006, Mazda attended the ceremony to commemorate the opening of Norway's first hydrogen filling station constructed by HyNor. This was also where the first on-road demonstration of a RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle outside of Japan took place. Since April 2006, Mazda has delivered eight RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles to government bodies and enterprises in Japan under commercial lease contracts.
[Source: Mazda]
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