Mazda will deliver one dual-fueled RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine (RE) vehicle to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) on August 1, 2007. The dual-fuel system enables the driver to select either gasoline or hydrogen fuel with the flick of a switch. METI will use the RX-8 Hydrogen RE in its daily operations. The delivery to METI will mark the eighth hydrogen rotary engine vehicle to be leased to government bodies and private enterprises and the first time that Japan’s central government has adopted a hydrogen vehicle for its daily operations.

In February 2006, Mazda received approval from Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) and became the first company in the world to commercially lease hydrogen powered rotary engine vehicles. Mazda’s RX-8 Hydrogen RE has been praised for the outstanding convenience of its dual-fuel system and for its balance between eco-friendliness and exhilarating performance that only an internal combustion engine can provide.