Yaskawa unveils hybrid vehicle drive system

Japan’s Yaskawa Electric Corp. has begun supplying Mazda Motor Corp. with a proprietary drive system for use in a hydrogen-powered hybrid car. The new drive system has a maximum output of 110 kilowatts (kw), around the same as a two-liter gasoline engine. Yaskawa’s drive system combines a motor, inverter and other components used in industrial machinery, which have been modified for use in automobiles. The drive system would help vehicles reduce power consumption when traveling at high speed as well as ease the shock when accelerating and decelerating. Mazda will use the system in its Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid mini-van, which was released in Japan in March 2009. The drive system is also expected to work in electric automobiles. Yaskawa hopes to broaden joint development with other automakers to expand its hybrid vehicle drive system business. (June 9, 2009)