Mazda has unveiled a new concept car that runs on microalgae-based fuel and is designed to capture carbon dioxide emissions while being driven. The car, named the Vision X-Coupe, was showcased at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo earlier this month, reports gasworld.
The Vision X-Coupe features a plug-in hybrid system that combines a two-rotor turbo engine, an electric motor, and a battery, along with an innovative carbon capture system. This system functions similarly to those used in industrial facilities, capturing CO₂ from the car’s exhaust gases before storing it in a filter or cartridge for later removal or recycling. Mazda has not revealed details about the exact technology, though it may involve a solid material that absorbs carbon dioxide.
At present, the vehicle remains a concept project, and it is unclear whether Mazda intends to introduce what it calls “Mazda mobile carbon capture” technology in future production models.
During the event, Masahiro Moro, Mazda’s President and CEO, said the company believes that driving enjoyment and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. “We believe that the joy of driving can also help protect the planet and shape a better future,” he said.
The carbon capture concept marks a new direction for Mazda, which has so far focused on hybrid and electric vehicles to reduce emissions. The company is now exploring ways to make carbon-neutral combustion engines using biofuels made from microalgae.
Mazda has been working with fuel and biotechnology experts since 2018 to develop microalgae-based biofuels that can be used in conventional engines. Microalgae was chosen because it can produce large amounts of oil while absorbing CO₂ as it grows. It also does not compete with food crops or require farmland. Once processed, the fuel can be used in standard engines with only minor adjustments.
Mazda said that using the carbon capture system together with the microalgae biofuel could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional petrol vehicles.
To test the concept, Mazda plans to install a prototype of the system in a racing car competing in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series endurance race, aiming to showcase the potential of carbon-capturing, algae-powered vehicles.
