Mazda to Revive its Rotary Engine for EV Plans

With a view to achieving a 90% reduction compared with 2010 levels in its corporate average ‘well-to-wheel’ carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, Mazda has promised to deploy some form of electrification in all production vehicles by 2030.

Mazda will develop two electric vehicles, one powered solely by battery and another that pairs a battery with a range extender powered by Mazda’s small, lightweight and quiet rotary engine.

The concept behind the rotary-powered range extender was to leverage the rotary engine’s small size and high-power output to make multiple electrification solutions possible via a shared packaging layout.

Taking advantage of the rotary engine’s compatibility with gas fuels, the range extender will also be designed to burn liquified gas and provide a source of electricity in emergencies.