Mazda to electrify entire range by 2030

Mazda has today outlined a bold new plan to electrify its entire vehicle range by 2030, which means the iconic MX-5 roadster will get an electric boost in future too.

The brand’s newfound positivity for electrification will see it deploy 13 electrified vehicles by 2025, including a trio of fully-electric vehicles (EVs), five plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and five hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) as part of its new product strategy.

The complete electrification on Mazda this decade will be a big step for the Japanese car-maker, which currently in Australia offers only a handful of mild-hybrid models including the Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid . Its first EV will be the Mazda MX-30 Electric in August (pictured).

Other mainstream brands such as Kia and Toyota have recently outlined their long-term EV goals as major global markets – led by Europe – continue to tighten their CO2 emissions regulations.

In the short-term, expect mild-hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of Mazda top-selling SUVs and small cars to become available in the next few years, some of which will leverage Toyota hybrid technology as part of the technical alliance between the two companies, which started with the Japanese-market Mazda3 hybrid.

The first wave of electrified models to come from the brand are likely to include next-gen Mazda2 and CX-3 models, given they’re due to be renewed in the next couple of years.

Three new EVs of “various vehicle sizes and body types” are en route by 2025 as well. Mazda has not been specific about the new models, but one potential candidate is the Mazda CX-30 revealed in China in April.

Outlined today in a press release, Mazda’s ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030' strategy will run in parallel to the premium vehicle push that started with the latest Mazda3.

The next example of Mazda’s move upmarket will be the next-generation Mazda6 in 2022, which will be powered by all-new longitudinally-mounted inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, driving the rear wheels via a new eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Alongside its new rear-drive platform, which will also underpin the next CX-5 and potentially an all-new sister model dubbed CX-50, Mazda will continue to offer entry-level cars and SUVs based on a transverse-engine small-car platform.

Mazda says its new SKYACTIV Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture (SMSSA) platform will underpin five hybrid, five plug-in hybrid and three EV models between 2022 and 2025. These will be “introduced mainly for Japan, Europe, the US, China and ASEAN between 2022,” said Mazda.

It’s likely Australia will be included in the ASEAN region.

The five conventional hybrid models do not include mild-hybrids and will employ Toyota’s hybrid tech, which will help fast-track the new models to market.

Mazda says more products will materialise on the new SMSSA platform between 2025 and 2030, but they don’t appear to have been locked in yet.

“Based on this product launch plan, we assume that 100% of our products will have some level of electrification, and our EV ratio will be 25% by 2030,” says Mazda.

The Japanese car-maker also confirmed it will launch a new self-driving system dubbed Mazda Co-Pilot Concept, which will be offered with its new rear-drive medium/large vehicles from 2022.

Mazda is also partnering with Toyota, Subaru, Suzuki and Daihatsu to offer a new multimedia and communications platform that will allow over-the-air software updates.

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