Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mazda
2010 Mazda2 (Thailand-spec) - Click above for high-res image gallery
Until now, Mazda's most notable alternative fuel programs have been the hydrogen-powered Wankel rotaries currently being used in an RX-8 test fleet. The "Zoom-Zoom" automaker has acknowledged plans to build new hybrid-powered vehicles in the coming years, but to date has avoided the battery electric vehicle arena.
That is about to change thanks to a newly-announced partnership with Itochu Corporation and Tsukuba City. Mazda and Itochu will convert three Demios (known as the Mazda2 outside of Japan) to plug-in battery power. Besides just testing the electric drives, the program will also test car sharing services using the EVs as well as using renewable energy to charge the vehicles. The program will also evaluate battery reuse programs that put used EV energy systems into use in fixed applications. The test program will launch in March 2010.
[Source: Mazda]
Continue reading Mazda2 to be basis of electric vehicle test fleet
Mazda2 to be basis of electric vehicle test fleet originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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