Drivers in Norway may just find themselves next to one of 30 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE (rotary engine) vehicles next time they take a trek on the roadways. This project marks the first time that hydrogen rotary engine vehicles are being used on public roadways outside of Japan.

“Up to now, real world use of Mazda’s hydrogen rotary vehicles has been limited to Japan. Participation in the HyNor project marks our advancement to the next stage,” says Akihiro Kashiwagi, Mazda Program Manager in charge of hydrogen RE development. “After we validate the first vehicle on Norwegian roads, we intend to deliver 30 more units under commercial lease contracts. We are pleased to be a part of the establishment of a society based on hydrogen energy in Norway. Mazda plans to use the wealth of data and experience that will result from this project for the further development of hydrogen vehicles.” (Source: Newspress)

The RX-8 Hydrogen REs are part of the HyNor project that will provide hydrogen energy stations along a 580km route between Oslo and Stavanger. I think this is a fantastic step towards increasing the recognition of hydrogen vehicles as a valid alternative to today’s gasoline engines. Although there are already hydrogen vehicles on the road in the United States, including the Honda FCX Clarity, there currently isn’t much of a hydrogen energy infrastructure available to support future hydrogen expansion.

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Filed Under: Europe, Mazda, hydrogen

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