Mazda has 2 (potentially) good things going for it in the next 10 years.
1. If they can make Skyactiv X have a smaller or equal footprint compared to EV's in the grand scheme of things (electric batteries rely of coal for electricity and indirect emissions are generated for actual battery creation)
2. Toyota has purchased Mazda stock and is rumored that Totyota is using skyactiv tech for its engines and Mazda Rotary could potentially be a viable option for electric vehicle range extenders. Imagine if just 5% of all EV's in the world uses a Mazda built Rotary...or even implement Mazda patented tech related to a rotary.
...All that said someone much smarter then me could also chime in.
Even though we are being dragged into EVs by Tesla and other car makers it is still unprofitable. Early adopters are saturated and EU countries that could electrify are almost done. Combustion might live for a decade. Mazda has to hybridize but not necessarily churn out EVs. Ultimately if gas is cheap the US will hummerfy its transport and be a major consumer. Gas above $4 in texas? That can speed up adoption.
Did Mazda have a hand in the new 13.0:1 CR I4s in the new Camry and upcoming Corolla? Hmm...
Did Mazda have a hand in the new 13.0:1 CR I4s in the new Camry and upcoming Corolla? Hmm...
Your #2 is the one that piqued my curiosity a while back. Apparently they are thinking of using a small rotary engine attached to a generator the size of a shoebox to charge the batteries. The engine would not be powering the drive train. I’m guessing a small fuel tank for the engine is all that would be needed. The rotary would be very smooth so the start/stop transition is supposed to be almost non existent to the driver and passengers. I forgot where I read this.
Yeah Toyota, the largest automaker in the world and one with a reputation of reliability.....is utilizing skyactiv tech in their new engines. Which in turn meant their large R&D double checked Mazda's skyactiv tech and it checked out Also too is Mazda is applying for all sorts of patents related to rotary usage on EVs. Not too shabby for a small company. The Toyota alliance will help Mazda in the future.
So, basically use the shittiest and least efficient combustion type engine to recharge a vehicle made to be as efficient as possible? Only mazda...
Space efficient and low vibrations are the key advantages imo. Reliability would be my concern given the history. But maybe limiting to a narrow rev range would help.