On Friday, Mazda Motor Corporation received permission from Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) to test the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid minivan on public roads. The innovative hybrid system increases the vehicle's power by 40 percent and doubles the hydrogen fuel range to 200 kilometers. Mazda aims to complete the road trials and start commercial leasing in Japan during fiscal year 2008.

The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid is the world's first hydrogen hybrid car with a dual-fuel system that enables it to run on either hydrogen or gasoline.


This hybrid powertrain is derived from the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE, the first such vehicle to be marketed in the world. The Premacy is slightly smaller than the Mazda5 at 4,595-mm long, 1,745-mm wide and 1,620-mm high. The AC synchronous electric motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery and produces 150 horsepower (110 kilowatts). The Premacy sits five.


Photo Credit : Mazda