Mazda signs on for Norwegian hydrogen project

Mazda will sell 20 RX8 Hydrogen RE models to HyNor, the first sold outside Japan.

Mazda and HyNor (Hydrogen Road of Norway) have announced they will collaborate in a Norwegian National Hydrogen project.

It will look at the development of hydrogen fuel and hydrogen vehicles. A memorandum - signed by those attending the signing ceremony at the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo - states that HyNor intends to purchase 20 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles in summer 2008, making them the first hydrogen vehicles sold by Mazda outside of Japan.

Hynor is a Norwegian joint industry initiative, which aims to demonstrate the real life implementation of a Hydrogen energy infrastructure along a route spanning 580 kilometres from Oslo to Stavanger in Norway.

The project looks as planning for various types of transport and transport systems in order to develop a Hydrogen society adapted to local circumstances.


Mazda's director Mr Seita Kanai stated "Perhaps Norway is one of the countries closest to the realisation of a hydrogen energy society. By cooperating with HyNor and jointly supporting the development of a hydrogen economy, we hope that Mazda will be able to contribute to the establishment of a Hydrogen society."

- REUTERS