Mazda planning to mass produce hydrogen rotary engine

Mazda has confirmed that in about five years time they will put their hydrogen-powered rotary engine into mass production. Mazda say that they will be creating a RX-7 model powered by a hydrogen rotary engine.
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dodgedart - 10/11/2008 10:52:11 AM

+1 Boost

I want a rotary hydrogen truck

hybridfarce - 10/11/2008 5:50:09 PM

+2 Boost

Doesn’t a Wankel have problems with the engine seals on its rotors? Then Mazda wants to burn hydrogen, the smallest molecule (actually, H2), in it? It’ll leak even more with H2 vs. gas-air mixture. I’m all for alternative power plants, but this doesn’t make sense to me unless we’re swimming in cheap H2, and less-than-ideal efficiency is OK. Tell me I’m wrong here (and why I’m wrong).

veyron1001 - 10/12/2008 8:07:29 PM

0 Boost

Every car has piston/rotary seal problem if the car is not maintained. H2 is nearly free. Its H2O with a electrical current to separate the H2 from the O which either future fuel pumps or an on board system will take care of that.

Styles79 - 10/13/2008 5:48:02 AM

+1 Boost

Actually no, hydrogen is not free. Go back and learn physics, energy cannot be created or destroyed, the energy needed to split water into hydrogen and oxygen is equal to the energy output when it is recombined (or burnt).... as for all cars having sealing problems, yes, in a way, but I'm sure that the problem would be exacerbated in an hydrogen rotary. Besides, it still wouldn't be a Zero Emission vehicle, as it'll still need to burn oil to seal. Don't like to bag Mazda (they're pretty forward thinking on design) and all, but I think they're barking up the wrong tree on this one......