Mazda's new rotary engine could power camping equipment

• 26th Nov 2013

Campers could soon be powering their camping equipment using a rotary engine like the one being developed by car manufacturer Mazda.    

According to caradvice.com.au, the single-rotor engine for the Mazda 2 electric car is supposed to be used as a range extender for the vehicle - in case the driver runs out of power and cannot recharge the car in time but it also had a secondary use.

Takashi Suzuki, Mazda powertrain development manager, said an additional use for the engine is necessary in order to present a good deal to its customers.

"To make the [electric car] affordable we need to include value," he explained. "If the system can be used as an electric generator, the value can be included. We couldn't find a compact system producing 15kW and that's why we believe there is a market for such an electric generator."

He added that the generator has a number of uses, as well as powering camping equipment it could also help provide electricity to a home if the power goes out.

The rotary power pack runs on petrol but it has also been suggested that the fuel could be changed to Propane or Butane if users really wanted to use it as a back up generator instead of a range extender, reports autoexpress.co.uk.