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Mazda may develop a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle after it unveils its first self-developed hybrid, as the company tries to play catch-up with fellow Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda at developing a broader range of electric-drive vehicles during next couple of years, Bloomberg News reports, citing Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi.



Yamanouchi also said Mazda would consider a battery-electric vehicle. It is one of the few major automakers that so far has not announced plans for at least a test-project EV.


The wire service didn't disclose further details, other than reporting that the PHEV would be developed after Mazda launches its hybrid in 2013. Mazda representatives haven't yet responded to Green Car Advisor's request for comment.


The company appears to be making a greater effort to address more stringent worldwide fuel-economy requirements as U.S. sales of its Tribute SUV hybrid - a rebadged Ford Escape hybrid - slow to a trickle.


Mazda, which earlier this year said it would boost fleetwide fuel economy by 30 percent over the next seven years, will use hybrid powertrain components such as an electric control unit and inverter from the Toyota Prius to develop its 2013 hybrid, Toyota said in March.


Additionally, Mazda said in September that its Sky direct-injection gasoline engine, which the Japanese automaker unveiled in April, may enable the next-generation Mazda3 to get as much as 40 miles per gallon highway when the car's introduced in 2015, putting it on par with hybrid-electric fuel economy.


Danny King, Contributor

Tags: Mazda, Plug-ins and Electric, EV, Hybrids, Mazda, PHEV, Plug In Hybriod

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Mazda Pondering Plug-In, Possibly an EV, After Launching Hybrid in 2013 was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.