Mazda Advances Development of Onboard CO2 Capture System

Why It Matters

The successful race‑time capture proves the technology can operate under real‑world conditions, positioning Mazda to contribute to automotive decarbonisation and meet tightening emissions regulations.

Key Takeaways

• Mazda captured 804 g CO₂ in a 24‑hour race
• Capture amount is 9.6× previous test’s 84 g
• System uses zeolite adsorbent heated by exhaust heat
• Electric compressor stores desorbed CO₂ in onboard tank
• Race car runs on hydrotreated vegetable oil, a European fuel

Pulse Analysis

Automakers are racing to embed carbon‑capture solutions as regulators tighten fleet‑wide emissions targets. Mazda’s "Mobile Carbon Capture" concept, unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, aims to turn each vehicle into a moving carbon sink. By demonstrating the technology in a competitive endurance race, Mazda shows that carbon capture can move beyond laboratory rigs into the demanding environment of motorsport, where heat, vibration, and performance constraints are extreme.

The system hinges on zeolite, a porous mineral that adsorbs CO₂ at ambient temperatures and releases it when heated. Mazda leverages waste heat from the exhaust of a hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)‑powered engine to trigger desorption, then compresses the gas with an electric pump into a compact storage tank. The 24‑hour test captured 804 grams of CO₂—nearly ten times the prior record—demonstrating both scalability and integration of capture, desorption, and storage in a single vehicle architecture.

If refined for production cars, this technology could offset a measurable share of tailpipe emissions, helping manufacturers meet 2035 net‑zero mandates. Challenges remain, including added weight, system cost, and ensuring durability across diverse driving cycles. Nonetheless, Mazda’s race‑proven prototype provides a tangible proof point that onboard carbon capture is moving from concept to viable commercial option, potentially reshaping how the auto industry approaches sustainability.