Mazda Aims For A Hopeful Future Where Cars Absorb Their Own Emissions

SAUDI ARABIA: Standing in 2025, it is a time of great debates and industry shifts. On one side, EV technology is becoming more mainstream and reliable, with even autonomous vehicles becoming a reality now. On the other hand, there are automakers and even industries that are not sold on the “future is electric” tagline. Mazda and an in turn, the entire Japanese automaking industry is a major representation of the side that’s not sold on EVs. The industry has been vocal, with the chairman of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, claiming that EVs will never exceed a 30% market share.

So, to counter the growing dependence on EVs, the Japanese automakers are turning to biofuels and exploring how they can keep the IC engines revving. Mazda, amidst this fierce debate, is quietly working on a system that aims to use a specific type of biofuel, which will be able to ideally suck back the emissions released from a car. This concept was showcased subtly in their Vision X-Coupe concept reveal at the Japan Mobility Show. Alongside the Rotary engine, this concept had space for Mazda’s “Mobile Carbon Capture” system. The purpose of this system is to absorb up to 20% of the car’s own exhaust gases. 

While explaining the “Mobile Carbon Capture” system, Kazuo Ichikawa, who is a specialist at Mazda’s Next-Generation Environmental Technology Research Department, said, “While challenges remain, we've already established technology at the demonstration test level. We're now moving into full-scale verification toward practical implementation. We have experimentally confirmed that CO₂ can be separated from exhaust gases using CO₂ adsorbents. We will begin demonstration testing of this CO₂ capture technology at the final round of this year's Super Taikyu Series.”

FAQs

Q1) Is the Mazda concept real?

A) The Mazda “Mobile Carbon Capture” concept is currently being developed at Mazda, which aims to absorb up to 20% of a car’s emissions. The company has stated that there are multiple challenges to the development of this system as of right now, but the company aims to continue development with a clear aim.

Q2) Which Mazda cars will feature the new Mazda “Mobile Carbon Capture” system?

A) The company has not shared any list of cars that will feature the “Mobile Carbon Capture” system yet. However, the Vision X-Coupe concept showcased at the JMS was noted to be able to accommodate the “Mobile Carbon Capture” system.

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