EV Test Project Based on the Mazda Demios

Japanese carmaker Mazda announced that it will be involved in a joint project to test a low-carbon transport system which uses clean energy, alongside with Itochu Corporation and Tsukuba City. The project is, in fact, a network of EVs, rapid chargers, fixed battery stations, solar panels and a car sharing service.

Mazda will provide three Mazda Demios for conversion to EVs, and will assist in determining optimum vehicle specifications and evaluating vehicle performance.

With its involvement in the project, Mazda aims to further improve its R&D activities. The carmaker has already adopted a policy to improve its internal combustion engines and then progressively combine them with electric devices. This process includes the i-stop star-stop system, regenerative braking and hybrid systems.

The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project is scheduled to begin in March 2010 in Tsukuba city, near Tokyo, Japan. Some details on the Tsukuba Environmental Style Project can be found below:

• test the viability of reusing EV batteries in fixed battery stations
• develop a system to reuse EV batteries in fixed battery stations, including remote battery monitoring technology
• test a model to optimally use renewable energy in EVs and in participating stores
• using information and communications technologies (ICT) in conjunction with control and electricity storage technology, develop an effective system to optimally use electricity that is generated through solar panels, stored in fixed battery stations and supplied to EVs and participating stores
• test the viability of a new service to accelerate the establishment of a low-carbon transport society
• introduce an EV car sharing system based at convenience stores
• test an integrated contactless smart card payment system for the rapid chargers and the car sharing service