Mazda isn't ready to ditch diesel just yet. While the popularity of diesel engines is waning, the Japanese automaker remains a strong believer in the technology, particularly their new, ultra-clean inline-six diesel engine.
At a recent Mazda event, Christian Schultze, the director of technology research at Mazda's European R&D center, voiced his frustrations with current EU regulations, calling them "ideologically green" and overlooking practical solutions. Schultze argues that the current focus solely on electric vehicles (EVs) neglects the vast majority of existing cars on the road that still rely on combustion engines. He suggests that significantly reducing emissions from these vehicles could have a much greater impact on the environment than current EV adoption rates.
Mazda isn't advocating for dirty diesels of the past. Schultze emphasizes the impressive efficiency and low emissions of their new inline-six diesel engine. This engine meets all the latest stringent environmental regulations, proving that diesel technology can still be a viable option for a cleaner future.
Schultze argues for a more comprehensive approach to tackling climate change. While EVs are undoubtedly part of the solution, they aren't the only answer. The blog post explores the potential of synthetic fuels as a carbon-neutral alternative for existing vehicles. Synthetic fuels, when produced using renewable energy sources, can be a cost-effective way to significantly reduce emissions from current combustion engines.
The future of clean transportation likely involves a combination of strategies. Mazda believes focusing solely on EVs ignores the existing fleet of combustion engine vehicles and the potential for cleaner diesel technology. The blog post concludes by advocating for a multi-pronged approach that includes cleaner combustion engines, the development of alternative fuels, and continued advancements in EV technology.
By implementing a combination of these solutions, we can achieve a more sustainable transportation future without leaving a significant portion of existing vehicles behind.