The CEO of Mazda South Africa has confirmed that the automaker is planning to introduce a battery-electric SUV to the local market, but interested customers will have to wait a bit.
Mazda only expects to launch the new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in various markets around the world, including South Africa, in 2026.
Late to the party
The company has not provided any information about its future electric plans, other than the fact that its next EV will be a battery-powered crossover that will launch roughly three years from now.
This means all we have to go on for now is the brand’s first electric vehicle (EV), the MX-30, which came onto the scene in 2020 and had a very limited rollout.
The BEV was primarily marketed to Europe and North America, with countries like South Africa being entirely out of the question. 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.
Mazda’s first electric car, the MX-30.
While it is based on the more familiar CX-30, 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 in this case refers to a small 35kWh battery pack, which 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 that the 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 though, 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 rather mixed, hence its discontinuation in the United States, but the company has since introduced a range-extender hybrid version to the range, widening its appeal to those still skeptical of pure battery-electrics.
More recently, Mazda Southern Africa confirmed that it would be introducing the seven-seater CX-80 in 2024, and that it too would offer a hybrid system, but that 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 that the automaker takes with its new BEV when it finally surfaces closer to 2026; whether it will follow the same urban design philosophy of the MX-30, or if it aims for something with a longer range to maximize its potential.
Keyword: When South Africa is getting its first electric Mazda