Mazda believes it can make its naturally-aspirated car engines 30 per cent more efficient.
In an interview with the Irish Independent newspaper, Mazda’s Michio Tomiyama said the company had no compelling plan to go down the electric-car, or the hybrid route because there is such relative little demand overall for electric cars.
The estimated 740,000 electric cars sold in 2014 make up less than 0.5% of the 85 m new vehicles sold overall. However, an upturn in sales of battery-powered cars means the figure accounts for almost half of all electric passenger vehicles on the road today.
In stark contrast with the pro-electric vehicle stance adopted by Nissan, and Toyota’s investment in Tesla, head of research and development at Honda and Mazda appear lukewarm where battery powered cars are concerned. Honda’s Tomohiko Kawanabe, has, in the past, admitted: “We are definitely conducting research on electric cars, but I can’t say I can wholeheartedly recommend them… It’s questionable whether consumers will accept the annoyances of limited driving range and having to spend time charging them.”
Nissan believes that 10 per cent of the global car market will be pure electric by 2020 – an estimate that may represent over 10 m vehicles per year.
ETA breakdown cover
Established over 24 years ago, and with over 5,000 recovery trucks on call 24/7, we have a proven track record of providing efficient, reliable breakdown cover.
We handpick only the best local mechanics and garages around Britain to send out if you break down. We believe this way of working is efficient, environmentally friendly and helps supports local communities and economies, too.
On top of this, we offset the carbon emissions of the recovery trucks that go out to assist you, reducing the impact your breakdown has on our environment. Every breakdown policy you buy helps fund the work of our charity, the ETA Trust, which we set up in 1994 to campaign for a safer, cleaner transport future.
0 Comments View now