燃油車也能減碳！Mazda以永續燃料挑戰北極極端氣候

在全球汽車產業邁向淨零碳排的大趨勢下，純電動車（EV）雖成為發展主流，但對許多尚未淘汰的燃油車而言，如何有效減碳、善用既有技術並延長過渡期，成為目前全球交通部門減碳的另一大課題。

近期，Mazda在歐洲展開一項極具象徵性的挑戰：12輛搭載最新2.5升e-Skyactiv G輕油電引擎的CX-30 SUV，完成了一段超過1,344英里（約2,160公里）、從瑞典南部出發、穿越芬蘭、最終抵達北極圈內挪威特羅姆瑟（Tromsø）的極地路線，全程只使用100%第二代永續生質燃料（Sustainable Biofuel），在嚴酷環境下測試內燃機技術的減碳可行性。

As the global auto industry moves toward net-zero emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as the mainstream solution. However, for the vast number of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles still on the road, finding effective ways to reduce emissions using existing technology and extending the transition period has become a critical challenge for decarbonizing the transport sector.

Recently, Mazda launched a highly symbolic initiative in Europe: 12 units of its latest 2.5-liter e-Skyactiv G mild-hybrid CX-30 SUVs completed a grueling journey of over 1,344 miles (approx. 2,160 kilometers), starting from southern Sweden, crossing through Finland, and ending deep within the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway. The entire route was powered solely by 100% second-generation sustainable biofuel - putting ICE decarbonization to the test under real-world extreme conditions.

極地測試：零改裝車輛、真實道路、零下20°C極端氣候

Mazda此次測試並非概念車或特製樣車，而是市售量產版本CX-30，僅針對極地行駛加裝**雪地用鋼釘胎（studded tyres）**以應付暴雪與低溫。參與駕駛的包括專業車評、汽車媒體與社群影響者，整趟行程耗時3天，模擬一般用戶真實駕駛情境。

Arctic Endurance: Stock Vehicles, Real Roads, and -20°C Temperatures

Mazda’s test was not conducted with prototypes or custom-built models, but rather with standard production versions of the CX-30. The only modification was the installation of studded winter tires to handle snow and freezing temperatures. Behind the wheel were professional reviewers, auto journalists, and influencers, simulating real-world driving experiences over a three-day period.

儘管途中氣溫多次降至零下20°C，Mazda表示，12輛CX-30平均仍達到超過40mpg（約每公升17公里）的油耗表現。根據官方計算，光是這次單趟旅程，每輛車便可減少約317公斤二氧化碳排放，相當於一台電動車充滿電約13次的碳排量。

農業廢棄物轉化的永續燃料，形成「短循環碳循環」

Mazda此次採用的燃料由英國SUSTAIN公司提供，屬於第二代生質燃料（advanced biofuel），與早期以玉米、棕櫚等糧食作物為原料的第一代生質燃料不同，該技術主打使用農業廢棄物（如秸稈、植物殘渣）作為原料，不會與糧食生產產生衝突，並可就地收集與生產。

Despite temperatures plummeting to -20°C at times, Mazda reported that the CX-30s averaged over 40 miles per gallon (approximately 17 km per liter). According to official estimates, each vehicle reduced CO₂ emissions by about 317 kilograms during the trip - equivalent to the emissions generated by fully charging an EV approximately 13 times.

From Agricultural Waste to Carbon-Neutral Fuel: The Short Carbon Cycle

The fuel used in the challenge was provided by UK-based SUSTAIN and is classified as a second-generation (advanced) biofuel. Unlike first-generation biofuels made from food crops like corn or palm oil, this fuel is derived from agricultural waste - such as straw and plant residues - avoiding conflict with food production and allowing for localized sourcing and production.

其核心原理是：植物在生長過程中已吸收大氣中的CO₂，這些碳透過燃料在引擎中釋放後再回到大氣中，整體碳排「不新增」，因此被視為「碳中和燃料」。這也與傳統汽油從地底開採化石碳源、造成額外碳釋放的方式根本不同。

SUSTAIN執行董事David Richardson表示：「永續燃料不只是替代汽油，它是目前道路上數千萬輛內燃機車最立即可行的減碳解方之一。」

Mazda歐洲：不是每個人都能開電動車，燃油車也能永續轉型

在純電車崛起的今日，Mazda選擇不同路線，推動所謂的「多元驅動技術策略（multi-solution strategy）」，不單壓寶電動車，而是同時持續優化內燃機、發展氫燃料、以及推動永續燃料應用。

Mazda英國董事總經理Jeremy Thomson強調：「我們相信汽車能源轉型不該只有單一路徑。很多地區尚無完整的充電基礎設施，也有許多消費者無法負擔價格更高的電動車。」

The science behind it is simple: the plants used to make the fuel have already absorbed CO₂ from the atmosphere during their growth. When the fuel is burned, the same carbon is released back, resulting in net-zero carbon emissions - a key reason this fuel is considered "carbon neutral." This differs fundamentally from fossil fuels, which release ancient carbon from underground into the atmosphere.

David Richardson, Managing Director of SUSTAIN, remarked, “Sustainable fuels aren’t just a substitute for gasoline - they’re one of the most immediately viable carbon reduction solutions for the millions of internal combustion vehicles still on the road.”

Mazda Europe: Not Everyone Can Drive EVs - ICE Vehicles Can Also Transition Sustainably

As EVs surge in popularity, Mazda has chosen a different path, promoting what it calls a "multi-solution strategy." Rather than betting solely on electric cars, Mazda continues to optimize ICE technologies, explore hydrogen fuels, and support sustainable fuel applications.

Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda UK, emphasized, “We believe the transition to cleaner transportation shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. Many regions still lack full charging infrastructure, and many consumers can’t afford higher-priced EVs.”

他透露，Mazda在日本已啟動藻類燃料、合成燃料與生質燃料的引擎開發計畫，並已正式加入歐洲eFuel聯盟（eFuel Alliance），與保時捷、奧迪、空中巴士等企業共同倡議低碳合成燃料政策。

永續燃料政策全球起跑，歐盟、日本、G7加速投資研發與法規鬆綁

隨著淨零目標的逼近，全球多國已逐步將永續燃料納入政策體系與法規架構：

儘管純電車被視為最終方向，但業界普遍認為，「短中期內需要搭配多元減碳選項，包含CCUS（碳捕存）、替代燃料、與燃油車轉型技術」，才能實際達到階段性減排。

分析：碳中和交通不是一條單行道，內燃機仍有退場緩衝解方

從Mazda這趟極地挑戰可以看出，永續燃料結合現有內燃機技術的潛力仍未被充分認識與利用。目前全球仍有逾13億輛汽油車在道路上行駛，即使所有新售車都轉為電動車，也需要數十年才能全面汰換。在這樣的現實前提下，如何讓「已經存在的汽車」也參與減碳，將成為過渡期的關鍵策略。

He revealed that Mazda is actively developing algae-based fuels, synthetic fuels, and biofuels in Japan and has officially joined the eFuel Alliance in Europe - alongside Porsche, Audi, and Airbus - to jointly advocate for low-carbon synthetic fuel policies.

Policy Momentum: EU, Japan, and G7 Support Sustainable Fuel R&D and Regulation

With net-zero targets approaching, countries around the world are increasingly integrating sustainable fuels into policy and regulatory frameworks:

While EVs are seen as the end goal, the general consensus across the industry is that a combination of short- and medium-term decarbonization strategies - including CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage), alternative fuels, and ICE retrofits - will be needed to achieve interim milestones.

Analysis: Carbon-Neutral Transport Is Not a One-Way Street - ICE Vehicles Have a Role to Play

Mazda’s Arctic challenge underscores the untapped potential of combining sustainable fuels with existing ICE technology. Today, there are still over 1.3 billion gasoline vehicles on the road globally. Even if all new car sales were electric starting today, it would take decades to fully phase them out. Under these realities, enabling "existing vehicles" to join the decarbonization journey is becoming a key transition strategy.

正如SUSTAIN執行長所說：「這不是要否定電動車，而是要讓更多人知道，還有其它可立即減碳的方法可以選擇。我們必須要把所有牌都打出來。」

對產業而言，永續燃料不只是技術選項，更是供應鏈重構與政策協調的系統工程。從原料端的農業廢棄物收集、到煉製、儲運與加油站轉型，都需跨部門協作。而消費者對新燃料的認識、接受度與價格敏感度，也將影響其市場化速度。

As SUSTAIN’s CEO put it: “This isn’t about opposing EVs - it’s about expanding the range of immediate, practical carbon-reduction tools. We need to play every card we’ve got.”

For the industry, sustainable fuels are more than just a technical alternative - they represent a systemic shift involving supply chain restructuring and policy coordination. From sourcing agricultural waste, to refining, distribution, and upgrading fueling stations, a multi-sector effort is required. Consumer awareness, acceptance, and cost sensitivity will also influence how quickly the market adapts.

結語：下一步是什麼？

Mazda的北極實測為永續燃料打開了更大想像空間：是否能建立區域性低碳燃料供應鏈？是否能讓油車延壽10年而非汰換？是否能形成與電動車並行的雙軌減碳模式？

Conclusion: What’s the Next Step?

Mazda’s Arctic expedition opens the door to bigger questions: Can we build regional low-carbon fuel supply chains? Can ICE vehicles be extended by 10 years instead of being scrapped? Can we establish a dual-track decarbonization model alongside EVs?

未來10年將是全球交通能源轉型的「關鍵實驗期」，而這一場由Mazda策劃、由農廢燃料驅動的長征，可能正是「多技術併進解方」的最佳縮影。

The next decade will be a critical experimentation period for global transportation energy transitions. This long journey, powered by agricultural waste and engineered by Mazda, may be the perfect example of how a multi-technology approach can bring us closer to net zero.