The Mazda Motor Corporation, more commonly known simply as Mazda, is a leading Japanese automotive manufacturer, with business activities across a number of key international markets. Mazda was founded in 1920, initially as a cork-making factory (Toyo Cork Kogyo Co, Ltd.). The company started manufacturing vehicles in 1931. The ‘Mazda-go’, a tricycle truck, was the first vehicle to be manufactured by the company. Mazda derives its name from ‘Ahura Mazda’, the God of harmony, intelligence and wisdom.
US based Ford Motor Company owned a stake in Mazda during a time Mazda was undergoing financial difficulties. Ford acquired a 24.5% stake in Mazda in 1974, increasing their stake to 33.4% in 1980. The Ford-Mazda partnership did result in a number of successful initiatives. Though the partnership formally ended in 2014, Ford started selling down its stake in Mazda from 2008.
Mazda has conducted research on alternative fuel vehicles for many decades. The company has had a particular focus on hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Mazda electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
Overview The Mazda Motor Corporation, more commonly known simply as Mazda, is a leading Japanese automotive manufacturer, with business activities across a number of key international markets. Mazda was…
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Like other automotive manufacturers competing fiercely for leadership in the rapidly evolving electric driving sector, Mazda is positioning its latest electric car, as unique. Well, to some extent, the Mazda MX 30 plug-in hybrid does offer a unique approach to developing a PHEV, but in many ways, it has much in common with other plug-in hybrids.
Despite the improvements in the latest-generation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the electric driving narrative is fast migrating towards battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also referred to as pure electric cars. This is not surprising, given the significant improvement in electric range of the latest-generation of pure electric cars.
For those of you, keen on buying an electric car, but prefer a PHEV, as a first step towards electric driving, the Mazda MX 30 plug-in hybrid is worth consideration. The Mazda plug-in hybrid SUV has a 17.8 kWh onboard EV battery (weight: 188.2 kg), with a WLTP certified zero-emission electric range up to 53 miles. An above average pure electric range, and certainly useful for most day-to-day driving needs.
Adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the MX-30 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) should comfortably deliver an emission-free pure electric range up to 45 miles. Useful for city and shorter distance motorway driving! For those new to electric driving, it is worth noting that many factors influence the real-world electric car range. Some of these include: driving style, temperature, elevation, wind, rain, road surface, tyre size, onboard services used etc.
Mazda is keen to emphasis the uniqueness of its hybrid system, such that, the onboard rotary engine is used only as a generator, and the plug-in hybrid resembles closer to a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). Put another way, the wheels are powered exclusively by the electric motor/ EV battery. In other PHEVs, the internal combustion engine (ICE) powers the wheels. In general, rotary engines are compact and deliver a higher output.
According to the company, “Like a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the wheels are driven exclusively by electric motors. However, unlike other PHEVs, the petrol engine doesn’t power the wheels directly, but acts as a generator to charge the battery.
That means you can enjoy uninterrupted electric propulsion wherever you go”. Of course, do keep in mind that the generator is still powered by petrol, a fossil fuel. The Japanese automotive manufacturer claims that using the generator increases the range up to 400 miles. The EV incorporates a 50-litre fuel tank.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car. A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the electric vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Mazda offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
The PHEV incorporates DC charging up to 50 KW DC. The EV can be charged 10%-80% in 25 minutes. The EV has a 7.2 kW onboard charger. The Mazda electric vehicle can be charged 0% to 100% via a dedicated EV charging station, like myenergi zappi in 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you insist on using a domestic socket for charging, the EV will take up to 4 hours and 50 minutes to fully charge.
The all-wheel drive Mazda PHEV SUV combines a 830cc rotary engine with an onboard electric motor (125 kW), powered by the EV battery. The PHEV can achieve 0-62 mph in 9.1 seconds. The 1-speed automatic Mazda plug-in electric SUV delivers 170 PS maximum power and 260 Nm torque. Top speed is 87 mph. The Mazda EV has 5 regenerative braking modes. Mazda claims the MX-30 plug-in can deliver up to 282.5 mpg.
The MX-30 plug-in hybrid has a host of safety features and onboard technology, to include: blind spot monitoring, driver attention alert, emergency lane-keeping, intelligent speed assist, lane-keep assist system with lane departure warning system, 7” colour touch-screen for climate control settings, colour 7” TFT instrument cluster display, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 360º View Monitor and more.
The Mazda MX-30 plug-in electric SUV has tailpipe emission up to 21g CO2/km. Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-8%) tax rate, given the lower tailpipe emissions.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles at very competitive prices via e-zoomed!
The Mazda MX-30 Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: Mazda)
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