The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid minivan will begin road testing in Japan this summer with the target of commercial leasing of the vehicle starting this autumn season. The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE is the world’s first hybrid electric vehicle that is also a bi-fuel vehicle as well, running on either gasoline or hydrogen.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 luxury car is a bi-fuel vehicle (gasoline and hydrogen) but is not a hybrid electric vehicle. Like the BMW Hydrogen 7, the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE solves the chicken-and-the-egg problem with regard to building enough hydrogen fueling stations to support the cars.
With a flip of a switch the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE rotary engine can run on either gasoline or hydrogen and has increased its range on hydrogen-only from 124 miles to 135 miles. The rotary engine is an advantage since it’s not conducive to backfiring as are traditional internal combustion engines.
While the exterior may be zoom-zoom inspired, the interior is eco-friendly with some of the plastic parts being replaced by plant-based materials. The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE will be showcased this summer at the 2008 G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in July.
I can’t wait for this car, finally, a hydrogen car not targeted and leased to celebrities! I’ll be one of the first to buy this car…is there release date Hydro Kevin?
The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen will be available as a commercial lease in Japan only as of this writing. No release date has been officially announced.