Mazda will bring its first electric vehicle (EV) to the U.S. later this year, but the vehicle will be available only in California at first. It will reach other states in 2022. For the 2023 model year, Mazda plans to add a range-extended version that uses one of the brand’s fabled rotary engines.
The MX-30 is a handsome compact SUV with rear doors hinged at the back and a contrast-color roof. Though similar in size to the CX-30, it’s not an electrified version of that vehicle. The MX-30 uses a single electric engine, powering just the front wheels, good for 144 horsepower. The battery is quite small compared to those of most electric vehicles currently on the U.S. market – just 35.5 kilowatt-hours.
That gives it a driving range of just 124 miles under European testing models (U.S. testing models tend to produce shorter range numbers). That’s well under what most EVs offer, though still much more than the average American drives on an average day. The smaller battery, Mazda says, keeps the MX-30 light, giving a livelier driving experience. It also means the battery recharges quickly. Reaching 80 percent charge takes just 36 minutes with a DC fast charger.
}
Rotary Range-Extended Version Coming
In mid-2022, Mazda will introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version using a rotary engine to extend the vehicle’s range. No details are available on that model yet. Some of Mazda’s most iconic vehicles have been rotary-engine sports cars, but in the MX-30 PHEV, the engine won’t power the wheels. It will serve as a range-extender, providing power to the electric motor once the battery charge drops to a pre-set level.
The MX-30 is just the start of a series of planned Mazda hybrids. Mazda North American President Jeff Guyton told reporters, “The battery-powered MX-30 will begin the introduction of additional electrified models, including a series plug-in hybrid with a rotary generator for MX-30, a plug-in hybrid for our new large platform, and a traditional hybrid for our new American-made crossover. While these powertrains will be optimized for their platforms, Mazda fans can expect great driving dynamics and beautiful design across all models.”
More: Kelley Blue Book’s Best Electric Cars
