With the demise of the RX-8 ten years ago, the era of the rotary piston engine in series production ended not only at Mazda, but among all car manufacturers. With the RX-Vision concept in 2015, Mazda hinted at a comeback of its RX series and the rotary piston engine, but since then it has been increasingly quiet about a future for this special engine concept. However, more specifics on the rotary's return could soon be coming down the pipeline.

RELATED: 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review: The Sports Car For The Minimalist

Rotary Piston Engine Returns As Generator For Electric Cars

Front three-quarter look of Mazda RX-Vision
Mazda

As part of a presentation on the revision of the brand's 2030 target, Mazda will publish definitive plans for a revival of its rotary piston engine. According to the presentation, scheduled for mid-November, the new engine will be unveiled during the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. However, the new rotary engine will not drive the wheels directly, but will act as a generator to charge the battery of an electric car. The charged battery then supplies energy for the electric motor. The MX-30 is currently Mazda's only EV model.

Mazda is alone with the idea of using a rotary engine as a generator for an electric car. But the idea could definitely work by exploiting the great advantage of the rotary piston engine while eliminating its biggest disadvantage. The low-vibration operation of this engine concept is very well suited to an EV, which are largely vibration-free. In addition, the famous gulping of the rotary piston engine at high speeds could become unnecessary when used as a generator at low speeds. Enthusiasts are likely to be disappointed with this new use, however, as use as a generator does not result in the famous driving experience of a rotary piston engine that many had hoped for from the comeback.

Related: The Rise and Fall of the Rotary Engine

Roadmap To 2030 Envisages 25 Percent Pure Electric Vehicles

Front three-quarter look of MX-30
Mazda

Mazda is skeptical of a high demand for all-electric vehicles in the short term, especially in the North American market. Accordingly, the Japanese manufacturer expects battery-electric vehicles to account for only 25 percent of total sales by 2030. With the updated business plan, those expectations are likely to increase, but only marginally. Currently, Mazda is planning for EV sales in 2030 to reach 450,000 units and to be achieved through a new electric platform starting in 2025.