Mazda announced that it just delivered a special RX-8 to the authorities of Yamaguchi, a small prefecture located in the Southwest peninsula of Japan. This seemingly ordinary gasoline-powered RX-8 is able, at the touch of dash-mounted button, to convert instantly into a car than runs on hydrogen.

The automaker says it has already delivered such a vehicle to two corporate businesses before negotiating with the Hiroshima prefecture, the city of Hiroshima and finally the Yamaguchi prefecture. These five cars are usually showcased in special events and daily operations. Mazda plans on selling 10 more RX-8s to various local governments by the end of 2006.

In the company's mind, promoting a healthy environment goes through the production of this hybrid rotary powerplant. The first deliveries began in 2006 after Mazda acquired the rights to make road tests in 2004. For the most part, the manufacturing facilities are located on the territory of the Yamaguchi prefecture.

So, as you can see, local authorities and Mazda executives in Japan are working hand in hand to improve the environmental performance of vehicles.