Mazda’s new MX-30 battery-electric crossover has finally arrived, which may be the best thing one can say about it.
The new EV can travel just 100 miles on a full charge, which is less than half of comparable models from other manufacturers. Most “viable” electric vehicles coming to market these days travel at least 250 miles on a single charge.
Chevrolet provides the best example as Bolt EV enjoys a lower starting price (just under $32K) and travels 259 miles on a charge. Other competitors include: the Nissan Leaf, which can be had for less than $30K, and still offers more range at 149 miles; and the Mini EV starting at about $30K travels 168 miles on a full charge.
Perhaps just as importantly, rumors of a Wankel rotary-based range extender making a surprise appearance are still just scuttlebutt. However, for those willing to pay the starting price of $33,470 for the short-range offering, there is a way to take a longer trip: MX-30 Elite Access Loaner Program.
Mazda says MX-30 owners will have access to experience other vehicles in the Mazda family for up to 10 days per year for the first three years of ownership. They’ll just need to make certain they don’t travel for more than that long while on vacation.
Charging news
The MX-30 is equipped with a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, which for plenty of folks will get them to and from work with a stop or two in between without too much worry. However, to make certain owners don’t need to stop and charge every day, the Japanese automaker worked out a deal with ChargePoint, offering a $500 credit that can be used toward the purchase of an in-home charger.
Also, it can be used for ChargePoint’s network charging stations across the country, including some of the fast chargers in service. The battery can be charged to 80% within approximately 36 minutes with a Level 3: DC 50 kW fast charger, 2 hours and 50 minutes with a Level 2: AC 240V/30 amps charger, or 13 hours and 40 minutes with a Level 1: AC 120V/15 amps charger3.
Mazda provides an 8-year, or 100,000-mile warranty, on the battery. Additionally, it provides a 3-year complimentary Mazda Connected Services subscription also allows owners to remotely monitor and control the state of the MX-30 through the MyMazda App.
This also includes remote start/stop charging and checking battery levels, in addition to features such as remotely setting the climate control or locking the doors.
More to come
The crossover will be offered in several versions, one marking the revival of the brand’s once-popular rotary engine which will be used in both a larger plug-in hybrid CUV in the works, as well as a more conventional hybrid model.
Mazda has been one of the more reluctant automakers when it comes to electrification, preferring to stick with ever more efficient variations on its SkyActiv technology, including the –D and –X packages. The SkyActiv-D, no surprise, is a diesel. The SkyActiv-X is a breakthrough technology using what’s roughly described as a Homogenous Charge Compression Engine. Think of it as a system that delivers diesel-like efficiency but runs on less expensive gasoline.
But the reality of a new era of emissions and mileage mandates finally caught up with the company, and it is rushing to make up for lost time as puts that “multi-solution approach” into play.
The new MX-30 shares the same platform as the now-familiar CX-30. Mazda first previewed a hybrid version of the MX-30 last August. The “mild” hybrid utilizes a 2.0-liter version of the Mazda SkyActiv-G gas engine paired with an electric motor assist system, and it went on sale in Japan last autumn.