Mazda BEVs coming
MAZDA South Africa has confirmed the automaker is planning to introduce a batteryelectric vehicle (BEV) to the local market - but only in 2026.
This means the brand’s first electric vehicle (EV), the MX-30, which came onto the scene in 2020, remains the only Mazda EV - and it's not faring too well.
Mazda sold 116 MX-30s in 2021, 324 in 2022, and 66 in the first half of this year.
The MX-30 is primarily marketed to Europe and North America, with countries like South Africa deemed not ready for the car.
Even then, the carmaker limited its American sales of the crossover to the state of California, and is now planning to discontinue the MX-30 there after less than two years on the market.
While it is based on the more familiar CX30, the MX is unusual for a number of reasons, not least of which is its powertrain.
It pioneered the brand’s e-SkyActiv electric technology, which refers to a small 35kWh battery pack that connects to a front-mounted motor with 107kW and 264Nm.
Very much intended to be a city vehicle, the crossover has a range of only 200km, but can achieve an 80% charge in about 40 minutes using a DC fast cable, making it suitable for everyday trips with quick top-ups.
The modest drivetrain also means Mazda doesn’t have the same acceleration punch that other EVs do, as it takes about 9.5 seconds to reach 100km/h.
Beyond its performance attributes, the MX-30 is also meant to be a showcase for environmental conservation, as much of its cabin is made from sustainable materials like recycled plastics, cork and breathable fabrics.
That’s not to say the interior is not embellished with luxuries like most EVs, as it can feature everything from a powered sunroof to heated seats, automatic climate controls, and a floating 7.0-inch infotainment screen.
Perhaps the most unusual addition is a pair of rear-hinged back doors that allow for easier access to what would otherwise appear to be a two-door compact SUV. Reception to the electric MX-30 was mixed, hence its discontinuation in the United States, but the company has since introduced a rangeextender hybrid version, widening its appeal to those sceptical of pure battery electrics.
Closer to home, Mazda South Africa confirmed it would be introducing the sevenseater CX-80 in 2024, and that it, too, would offer a hybrid system.
However, it would rely on the same 2.5 litre petrol plant as the CX-60 as the main driving force behind the wheels. It will be interesting to see the direction the automaker takes with the new BEV when it finally surfaces closer to 2026; whether or not it will follow the same urban design philosophy of the MX-30, or if it aims for something with a longer range to maximise its potential.