Japan Mobility Show 2025: The More You Drive, the Cleaner the Planet? The MAZDA VISION X-COUPE and the Future of Joy of Driving

Mazda has always championed the joy of driving. We’ve continuously pursued cars that feel good to drive, with particular attention to handling and ride comfort. That commitment will never change. But our responsibility as a company to contribute to the environment has grown. We also realize that customers can’t purely enjoy driving unless they know their cars come from a company that’s environmentally responsible and truly contributes to society.

We want people to feel the joy of driving from the heart. That’s what the Mazda Vision X-Coupe represents, and that’s the meaning behind “The Joy of Driving Fuels a Sustainable Tomorrow.”

A refined, beautiful form that integrates with the environment. Powered by carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae. CO₂ capture technology helps reduce atmospheric CO₂ the more you drive. Equipped with a rotary engine, this model brings to life a vision of future mobility that can excite even the most avid car enthusiasts.

Exactly. Until now, we’ve developed technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact and minimizing negative effects. This time we’re going further: “The more you drive, the more you fuel a sustainable tomorrow.” In other words, the more the car is driven, the more it helps reduce atmospheric CO₂ and creates a positive impact on the environment.

And because of this positive feeling, you can enjoy the joy of driving even more purely, more wholeheartedly. Your enjoyment actually benefits society and the planet. That’s the message we’re sending.

It may sound like a dream, but the technologies to make this happen are coming together. We can see the possibilities now. That’s why we felt ready to unveil this vision model.

Ryuichi Umeshita. Joined Mazda in 1988. Has held positions across product planning, customer service, global marketing, and Mazda Motor of America, Inc. Currently serves as Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO, leading research and development and monozukuri innovation. Drives a Mazda MX-5 (Roadster) and enjoys racing his customized MX-5 on weekends.

Our “Fuel a Sustainable Tomorrow the More You Drive” philosophy is made possible through two technologies: carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae and CO₂ capture technology.

Kazuo Ichikawa. Joined Mazda in 2004 and worked on engine efficiency improvements and fuel-efficient engine development. In 2020, following then-Prime Minister Suga’s carbon neutrality goal declaration, he began researching sustainable fuels using microalgae.

It’s a type of plant-based biofuel. Like fossil fuels, it emits CO₂ during driving, but the algae absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis as they grow. So the emissions are effectively zero.

Biofuels are already widespread outside of Japan and available at regular gas stations. But microalgae have an extremely high oil storage capacity compared to common biofuels like corn-based ones. They can efficiently produce fuel in limited space, which is why they’re attracting so much attention.

What’s revolutionary this time is that we’ve added CO₂ capture technology on top of this biofuel. We’re not just absorbing atmospheric CO₂ to grow microalgae. We’re also capturing CO₂ from exhaust gases during driving. Then we can use that captured CO₂ to grow more microalgae, or repurpose it to promote the growth of crops like tomatoes and strawberries, or turn it into high-performance carbon materials for car parts.

So we’re not just achieving carbon neutrality. We’re achieving carbon negativity where CO₂ actually decreases the more you drive. We’re turning CO₂ from waste into a valuable resource and creating a sustainable cycle.

Mazda’s CO₂ capture device: Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture

The carbon-neutral fuel uses algae called Nannochloropsis, which are 2-5 microns in diameter. Nannochloropsis has very high lipid production efficiency compared to other microalgae. We can extract oil with properties close to diesel, and we can also make gasoline from it. It has the potential to produce large amounts of biofuel at relatively low cost.

Nannochloropsis contains components like EPA and DHA that offer health benefits. It’s also extremely rich in protein, amino acids, and vitamins; fish contain lots of EPA because they eat Nannochloropsis. We’re also paying close attention to utilizing the residue that remains after extracting the oil.

At the JMS venue exhibition booth. Microalgae have various applications beyond carbon-neutral fuel, including food, supplements, and livestock feed

The residue can become raw material for food and supplements, or livestock feed. For example, if it could be used for cultivating oysters, a local industry here in Hiroshima, that would be a very meaningful initiative in terms of local production for local consumption. Considering these various values, Mazda has been conducting research since around 2020.

Island countries like Japan face challenges with energy and food self-sufficiency. I believe realizing a recycling-oriented society that connects and solves energy and food issues through approaches like this is important. 

I’d heard for some time that microalgae research was progressing within the company. When we heard detailed explanations during the vision model production, I got really excited. It’s the kind of breakthrough that seems almost too good to be true. We’ve now reached the theoretical goal of refining over 1L of fuel from a 1,000L cultivation tank in about two weeks, and we’re making steady progress. As Mazda, we need to continue carefully nurturing this technology and showing society that such possibilities exist.

When it comes to the CO₂ capture technology, we apply CO₂ adsorption technology to capture CO₂ from the exhaust. There are still challenges, but we’ve already established demonstration-level technology, so we’re about to enter full-scale verification toward practical implementation.

Here’s the big picture. First, by creating fuel from microalgae that has absorbed CO₂, we reduce CO₂ emissions by about 90%. Then, using the CO₂ capture technology, we can recover 20% of the CO₂ in exhaust gases, totaling 110%. In other words, this combination achieves 10% carbon negativity of atmospheric CO₂.

This technology achieves carbon negativity by combining carbon-neutral fuel with CO₂ capture devices, something only possible because it is an internal combustion engine

That’s right. The rotary engine is characterized by the unique feel of its revs, and its satisfying sound and power delivery. It’s truly an engine where you can experience the joy of driving. It’s technology that has a special place in our heart at Mazda, but considering environmental impacts from exhaust gases, we ended mass production in 2012.

However, we were determined to revive the rotary engine and we relaunched a new project team in early 2024. We’re developing a new rotary engine that has overcome challenges while enhancing its appeal. As a generator, we’ve finally reached the point where we can meet strict environmental regulations in Europe and America, so we decided to install it in this vision model as well. Any car enthusiast will be able to sense how much passion the engineers poured into this rotary engine.

Well, there’s nothing like the engine’s sound and the feel of the revs to get you excited when driving. When you put your foot down on the accelerator, you can feel the engine respond instantly, and the speed builds along with that rising engine note. A drive feel that appeals to the five senses is an essential component of the joy of driving.

In terms of implementing that in an environmentally friendly way, I’d say that the Mazda Vision X-Coupe delivers environmental benefits and the joy of driving at an unprecedented level.

The rotary engine installed in the Mazda Vision X-Coupe is planned to be used for direct-drive mode (it’s directly connected), not as a generator

I have very high expectations for Mazda’s new rotary engine too. Before being a researcher, I’m a huge car enthusiast. As Umeshita says, sound and the feel of the engine are important elements for car enthusiasts. They create that “Ready, set…” moment of anticipation in the driver’s seat, and for me that’s the starting point for the joy of driving.

Actually, until I was about 35, I wasn’t particularly interested in cars. Drinking was my only hobby, and I spent most of my salary on it (laughs). That changed when I was working in the US and got the chance to drive a Mazda MX-5 (Roadster). It was mind-blowing. I had no idea cars could be this fun. It was the first time I’d experienced a car where driving itself was pure joy.

After returning to Japan, I immediately bought a MX-5 and started exploring. When you drive with the top down on a sunny day, you hear the sounds of the running river, and even the same trees and plants show subtle changes with the seasons. You start noticing small details you’d always overlooked.

And when you can go anywhere you want, you want to try new things. Cars didn’t just change my life. They enriched it.

I know exactly what you mean. When I got my license and started driving, I felt that same sense of freedom. If I saw something interesting on the way to my destination, I could stop on a whim, or change my route just because I felt like it. I was acting on my own impulses. That’s when I learned that cars aren’t just transportation. They offer something unique.

Ichikawa is also a passionate Mazda MX-5 fan. “I used to drive NC and NB models, but now I drive a Mazda CX-30"

I’ve always driven a MX-5, but if the Mazda Vision X-Coupe becomes available, I’d be interested in that too. I might end up with both, a MX-5 and a Mazda Vision X-Coupe. If I use them for different purposes, the MX-5 for short trips and Mazda Vision X-Coupe for longer journeys, my driving life would become even richer.

First is the rotary engine. We’re seeing good prospects for meeting global environmental standards, but it will take more time to comply with regulations in each country while keeping the rotary appeal that customers expect.

Next is CO₂ capture technology. We’ve confirmed in experiments that we can separate CO₂ from exhaust gases using CO₂ adsorbents. This year, we’ll begin testing CO₂ capture technology at the final round of the Super Taikyu Series.* To bring it to market, we face several hurdles on both the technical and business sides, and we plan to tackle them one by one.

*ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2025 Empowered by BRIDGESTONE is an endurance race series where multiple drivers take turns driving vehicles based on production cars for long durations

Working hard toward the final round of the Super Taikyu Series for the proof-of-concept test

For fuel derived from microalgae, the biggest challenge is cost. But recent research has improved technologies for increasing algae oil production and efficiently producing fuel, so we’re seeing paths to lower costs. We’re also exploring ways to manage costs by using and selling not just the oil but also the residue.

To grow microalgae in large quantities, we need large pools. Outdoor conditions are easily affected by weather, so we’re working on stable production methods. We hope to achieve mass production without compromising on oil quantity or quality.

This time, we were able to incorporate fuel derived from microalgae into the vision model. As a researcher, I’m thrilled about that. At the same time, I feel responsible for making it available for everyone as soon as possible. When you can enjoy driving while helping the planet, you’ll want to go farther and have new experiences. Those are the experiences I want to deliver to customers.

Right now, I think we’re being asked about the meaning of driving. If it’s just about reaching a destination at a set time, you don’t need a car. People choose to drive because there’s a strong will to drive. When you operate the car yourself, make detours on your own terms, and actively seek out enjoyment, it makes you feel positive and enriches your life.

When we bring the technologies from the Mazda Vision X-Coupe to all Mazda cars and make “The Joy of Driving Fuels a Sustainable Tomorrow” a reality, people will be able to drive with pride, knowing they’re helping the environment with every mile. That’s the future we’re working toward. That’s why we’ll keep pushing forward to enable the joy of driving to fuel a sustainable tomorrow.