The carmaker will use a hydrogen-fueled rotary engine as a range extender for a new EV that it plans to start leasing next year.

Mazda President Takashi Yamanouchi announced this week that the carmaker will use a hydrogen-fueled rotary engine as a range extender for a new EV that it plans to start leasing next year.

The new model will presumably be based on Mazda’s Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, which has been available for commercial leasing since 2009. The hydrogen-powered Premacy is a series hybrid that combines Mazda’s proprietary rotary engine with an electric motor.

“We should be able to make the most of the rotary engine’s advantages, such as the ease of making it compact and safe,” Yamanouchi said.

Soucre: The Nikkei via Green Car Congress
Image: Mazda