Mazda accelerates research on microalgae biofuel to decarbonize engine vehicles
As EVs become more popular, options for decarbonization are expanding with biofuels and CO2 capture technology
Quick Look
- Mazda is conducting research into biofuels using microalgae in order to decarbonize engine vehicles.
- Starting in 2023, we will be testing a technology for stably culturing algae that will store oil and fat as an alternative fuel to light oil by installing a water tank near the power plant at our main factory in Hiroshima City.
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Why It Matters
As electric vehicles become more popular, Mazda is researching biofuels and CO2 capture technology as options for decarbonizing engine vehicles.
Mazda is expanding its efforts to decarbonize engine vehicles. As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, the aim is to increase decarbonization options through the practical application of biofuels and carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology.
Two approximately 1,000-liter water tanks (5 meters long and 1.5 meters wide) have been installed near Mazda's power plant at its main factory in Hiroshima.
The microalgae ``Nannochloropsis'' being cultivated here. They grow through photosynthesis and store fats and oils in their bodies that can be used as an alternative to the light oil used in diesel engine vehicles. Research toward stable culture has been continuing since 2023.
After two weeks of cultivation, each aquarium can produce approximately 3 liters of biofuel. Biofuel is one type of decarbonized fuel. CO2 is emitted when a car runs, but algae absorbs CO2 through photosynthesis, which results in a total reduction in CO2 compared to diesel oil.
How to commercialize it? Demonstration experiments aimed at widespread use
However, for commercialization, fuel manufacturers...
Open Questions
- When will biofuels be commercialized?
- How to solve the problem of cost reduction for mass production
