Mazda believes the road to carbon-neutral motoring doesn’t have to mean the end of the internal-combustion engine. Instead, the company is continuing work on algae-derived fuels that could power existing cars with net-zero or even negative carbon emissions.
Mazda CFO Jeff Guyton says the Japanese company’s biofuel research aims to make petrol engines part of the long-term solution, not the problem.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we could apply a reduced-carbon or carbon-neutral fuel to all those cars that are running around on the streets?” he said.
“There’s more than a billion cars on the planet, and you know, we’re talking about adding EVs step by step, which, by the way, are not carbon neutral. They’re just zero carbon at the tailpipe.”
Guyton explained that Mazda’s engineers had already produced small batches of algae-derived fuel due to its high oil content.
“We’ve succeeded in creating or finding a way to grow algae that have the right sort of fats and oils inside their cells so that we can easily get to the fuel,” he said.
“The fuel itself could go in any car and doesn’t have to go in a special Mazda engine, and that’s the point … couldn’t we have a carbon-neutral fuel that could go in any car and can address the installed vehicle base?”
Mazda says the prototype fuel can be refined from algae grown in controlled tanks, using about 1,000 litres of water to produce 1 litre of fuel every 2 weeks. The current process is slow and expensive, but the company believes it proves the concept is technically viable.
While some automakers have backed e-fuels synthesised from captured CO2 and hydrogen, Mazda’s approach focuses on biological carbon recycling using living organisms to convert atmospheric carbon into energy-rich oil, which is then turned into fuel.
Guyton says the ultimate goal was to make such fuels not just carbon-neutral but carbon-negative, meaning the production process removes more CO2 than the vehicle emits.
“While other people are talking about carbon neutral, we are talking about the potential for carbon negative, if it’s done the right way,” he said.
The research is part of Mazda’s long-term ‘multi-solution strategy’ that combines electrification with ongoing investment in cleaner combustion technologies.
In Australia, where the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) will penalise higher-emission cars from 2025, Mazda’s push for alternative fuels could help extend the lifespan of its petrol line-up while meeting stricter CO₂ targets. While the brand’s first electric passenger car, the Mazda 6e, is due soon, full battery EVs remain a low priority.
For Guyton, the algae program is a logical counterpoint to the government’s EV-only focus.
“If our society spent half as much time talking about biofuel as we are talking about electric vehicles… we might be able to really do something,” he said.
Mazda hasn’t committed to a production timeline, but its willingness to back unconventional ideas shows a brand still determined to find its own path to cleaner motoring, even if it takes a little more time to grow.
While all these biofuel breakthroughs were buzzing in our brains, it was time to step into the Mazda CX-60 G25 Pure RWD, a compelling entry-level model that offers a balance of affordability and value.
With a starting price of $44,240, it provides a more accessible option for those looking to own a mid-size SUV. The G25 Pure is equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 138 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The model is available in three grades: Pure, Evolve, and Touring, with the G25 Pure being the most affordable, with a combined fuel efficiency of 7.5L/100 km, making it the most economical petrol-only variant in the CX-60 lineup.
The interior features a 10.25-in.infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a comprehensive list of driver-assist tech.
G25 Pure offers a comfortable, well-executed interior, good physical controls, and a commanding driving position. The rear seat is spacious, with a fold-down centre armrest and USB-C charging outlets, making it a practical choice for long journeys. The cargo space is 570 litres with the rear seats up, and up to 1726 litres with the rear seats folded down. ‘
Overall, the G25 Pure RWD is a solid choice for budget-minded buyers seeking a reliable and feature-rich mid-size SUV,
Editor’s note: Green algae are consumed by a wide range of organisms, from microscopic zooplankton to fish, snails, and crustaceans, forming a crucial part of aquatic food webs. Algae are eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms that can range from microscopic single-celled forms (microalgae) to large multicellular seaweeds (macroalgae) like kelp, which can grow up to 60 meters long. Unlike land plants, algae do not have true roots, stems, leaves, or vascular tissue, and their reproductive structures are simpler.
