Rumor: Mazda Preparing Volt Rival Using Rotary Engine
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 08.29.08
Competition for the Volt
British car site Autocar claims that some "senior sources" at Mazda revealed that the company is working on a rival to GM's Volt. The series hybrid would use a gas engine to generate electricity to charge batteries, but it would always be electric motors turning the wheels (unlike the Prius). This could mean that Ford, who owns a significant portion of Mazda, will also use this technology.
Prototype
Apparently, it's not just a paper concept. "Trials are currently underway in Japan, with a prototype that uses a rotary engine [like the Mazda RX-8] to charge the battery pack. The tests are sufficiently advanced that Mazda has a working prototype in a Mazda 5 MPV bodyshell. Company bosses are said to be keen to put this system into production but no firm decisions will be made until the cost of batteries is reduced."
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Test Drive the Chevy Volt Plug-In Hybrid Electric Car
- How to Go Green: Hybrid Cars
- Ed Begley, Jr. on Getting a Green Job, Heating Your Home, and More
- Walking The Walk: 8 Healthy Reasons To Let Your Footsteps Generate Energy
- "Greenest" Parking Lot Planned For Country's Largest Airport
- 25 New Year's Resolutions for Going Green in 2010
Comments ()
