In a whirlwind of electric launches, with most manufacturers announcing ambitious timetables to abandon internal combustion engines, the Japanese firm Mazda is being one of the most discreet in revealing its intentions. At the moment, it only has a single model of this type on its offer, the MX-30 crossover.
Equipped with a 35.5 kWh battery capable of providing a maximum autonomy of 200 km WLTP, the truth is that this compact SUV has been seen by many as a compromise vehicle by a company that aspires to 25% of its global sales in 2030 correspond to electric cars.
However, Mazda plans to bolster its near-term zero-emissions offering with the addition of three new electric cars to be launched between now and 2025. These models will make use of the company’s existing electric technology, so while they are likely to improve In key sections such as autonomy, we should not expect any revolution concerning the MX-30.
Precisely 2025 has been the year chosen for the presentation of the new “Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture”, a platform developed specifically for electric vehicles that will be characterized by its enormous flexibility. This architecture will initially be used as a basis for small models.
Mazda also bets on synthetic fuels
Mazda is, like Subaru and Suzuki, part of the constellation of companies that orbit Toyota. Although the Japanese giant only has a 5% stake in the Hiroshima firm, both companies agreed to collaborate on the development of electric vehicles in 2017, five years ago. Therefore, it is very likely that they will share technology and components in their next releases.
Regardless, Mazda will continue to insist on the internal combustion engine for an undetermined time. In parallel to the “Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture”, it will also have a specific platform for hybrids and plug-in hybrids ( “Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture” ); In addition, it is working on a new range of six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, on mild-hybrid systems of 24 (small models) and 48 volts (large models) and a range extender using a rotary engine.
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On the other hand, we must not forget that Mazda belongs to the eFuel Alliance, a consortium that seeks to develop and promote synthetic fuels of renewable origin. Thus, the company is investigating the use of gasoline created from carbon extracted from the atmosphere and green hydrogen, as well as biodiesel made from microalgae and used cooking oil.
