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Mazda Will Tap Rotary Engine to Extend EV Range
Mazda Motor Corp. plans to introduce it first mass-market electric vehicle in 2019 with a range-extending electrical generator driven by a small rotary engine.
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Mazda Motor Corp. plans to introduce it first mass-market electric vehicle in 2019 with a range-extending electrical generator driven by a small rotary engine.
A range extender recharges an EV’s battery on the fly but does not power the vehicle’s wheels directly. Rotary engines are well-suited for such applications because of their smooth operation and relatively simple architecture.
Mazda sold rotary-engine-powered sports cars between 1967 and 2012. It phased out the engine as the main power source for vehicles because of mediocre fuel economy and the difficulties of meeting emission standards.
Both issues are significantly reduced when the engine is smaller and runs at a constant speed, as is the case when it’s used to operate a generator. Mazda has continued its rotary engine development work over the past five years with a range extender role in mind.
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