eco concept sports car by mazda captures carbon emissions

Carbon capture technology in mazda’s eco concept sports car

Mazda has unveiled the eco concept sports car Vision X-Coupe that can capture and recycle carbon emissions the more it drives around. Equipped with the Mobile Carbon Capture technology developed by the manufacturer, the vehicle filters out the carbon dioxide directly from the exhaust system. Normally, cars release carbon dioxide into the air through their exhaust, serving as one of the main gases that causes climate change. Mazda’s idea is to catch some of this gas before it escapes into the atmosphere, and by integrating the technology into the exhaust, it allows the eco concept sports car to capture the emissions more efficiently.

Inside the device is a material called zeolite, a porous mineral with tiny holes. These holes act like a sponge for the carbon dioxide, so as the exhaust flows through the eco concept sports car, it absorbs the harmful gases and holds onto them. Later, the captured carbon can be removed and reused instead of being released into the air because Mazda wants to recycle the captured carbon instead of letting it go to waste. The company says that the recycled gases can be used to support plant growth, such as in farming or greenhouses, as well as turn them into high-performance carbon materials, which are used in many industries, including the automotive.

all images courtesy of Mazda

manufacturer tests carbon capture technology on racetrack

To test if the Mobile Carbon Capture technology works in real life, Mazda tried it out in motorsports. The team installed the system on a Mazda3 race car competing in Japan’s Super Taikyu endurance racing series, and during a four-hour race at Fuji International Speedway, the system successfully absorbed carbon dioxide from the exhaust while the car was running at high speed. This test also shows that the technology can survive heat, vibration, and long driving times, and Mazda plans to continue testing the system to capture even more emissions in the future.

Cars are a major source of carbon emissions worldwide. While electric vehicles are growing, many gasoline and hybrid cars are expected to still be on the road for years to come. There is no single solution to climate change, but vehicles like the eco concept sports car can help support a multi-solution approach, combining electric vehicles, cleaner engines, carbon-neutral fuels, and carbon capture technology. Mazda aims to become carbon neutral by 2050, adding the Vision X-Coupe to its growing list of vehicles that contribute fewer emissions to the environment. Recently, the manufacturer unveiled the concept vehicle during the Japan Mobility Show 2025.

Mazda has unveiled the eco concept sports car Vision X-Coupe that can capture and recycle carbon emissions