24 - Friday, April 8, 1994 - North Shore News

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veh
-Photo submitted

MAZDA'S HYDROGEN-POWERED HA-X2 concent car emits only water vapors from its exhaust.

ly

cars powered by electricity and hydrogen

if

OVERDRI

AT THE recent environmen-
tal mega-conference in
Vancouver, Globe. 94,
Mazda showed off a number
of interesting, environmen-
tally conscious vehicles to
the trade showgoers.

The specially designed hydro-
gen- and electric-powered vehicles
no doubt got plenty of attention at
Globe °94, but Mazda officials
were also quick to point out that
the environmental activities at
Mazda involve much more than
just the fancy cars.

“We’re involved in a number of
important programs designed to
address environmental issues,”
explained Mazda spokesman Greg
Young to the people gathered at the
exhibit. Mazda has initiated a com-

. pany-wide plan to focus on six
main environmental areas, many of
which have already been imple-
mented in one form or another.

Reduction of CO2 emissions

By improving the efficiency of
its cars and the manufacturing
plants where the cars are produced,
Mazda is hoping to reduce carbon
dioxide (CO) emissions, which in
turn should help alleviate the prob-
lem of global warming.

For example, Mazda has just
introduced the all-new 1995 Mazda
Millenia luxury sedan, powered by
a revolutionary new engine called

the Miller-cycle engine.
By utilizing a different combus-
tion cycle and special compressor

‘that acts like a supercharger, the

Miller engine is able to produce
high power and torque while sip-
ping 10% to 15% less gasoline than
a conventional engine.

. Mazda is also developing a
Jean-burn engine that should
achieve exceptionally high fuel
economy without sacrificing per-
formance,

In the factories, Mazda plans to
implement a number of enerpy-
saving programs. Excess heat pro-
duced during the manufacturing
process, for example, is now “recy-
cled” to provide heat for the work-
ers and for the parts-cleaning
process. ;

Alternative fuel vehicles

With its hydrogen-powered

‘ vehicies, Mazda hopes to leapfrog

the competition with a plant to
offer highly efficient, emission-free
cars within the next 10 years.

“We plan to fleet-test hydrogen
vehicles in Japan starting in 1997,”
said Greg Young. “Perhaps by the
year 2000, we may be able to offer
these cars to the public.”

Hydrogen cars ure especially
interesting because they use hydro-
gen — the most common element
on this Earth — and emit basically
only water vapors from the
exhaust.

The hydrogen-powered HR-X2
concept car (see photo) and Miata
(described in Greg Wilson’s col-
umn) were both shown at Globe
94,

Other alternative-fuel programs
include the methanol-fueled cars,
currently undergoing extensive
fleet-testing in Japan, and a flexi-
ble-fuel Protege, which is involved
in the California Energy
Commission’s Flexible Fuel
Vehicle Fleet Program. Methanol
cars emit less hydrocarbons (HC)
and nitrogen oxides (NOx) than
their gasoline-powered counter-
parts.

At the trade show, Mazda also
displayed an electric-powered
Miata, which is said io havea.
range of about 170 kilometres (105
miles). ;

Exhaust emissions

For the normal, gasoline pow-
ered vehicles, Mazda is investigat
ing a number of possible ways to
reduce exhaust emissions.

For example, Mazda is design-
ing a new catalyst that promises to
eliminate emissions during warm-
up (cars emit the most emissions
during {heir warm-up stage).

Engine components, such as
fuel injectors, are also being

See Catalyst page 26 ‘ :

J

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