Mazda's electric Demio to lead new charge

Mazda has announced it will begin leasing its Demio EV in its home market in October. The company will initially roll out about 100 units, most of which will go to local government authorities and corporate customers in the western Chugoku region, the area around Mazda’s headquarters.

Based on what Australian buyers know as the Mazda2 (it’s known as the Demio in Japan), the little five-door EV uses a 75kW/150Nm Mazda-made electric motor driving the front wheels. It draws power from a 20kWh, 346V lithium-ion battery pack giving the car a claimed range of up to 200km.

The battery modules are distributed along the floor, beneath the rear seat and under the boot, in a fashion that ensures no incursion on interior or cargo space by comparison with the conventional petrol-engined Mazda2. Mazda says its low, central positioning gives it better longitudinal weight distribution and sprung/unsprung weight ratio than the petrol model. The result is a balance of agile handling and high-quality, comfortable ride. With a relatively manageable weight penalty of about 160kg, the company promises a win-win package of ‘powerful acceleration, precise handling and a comfortable ride’.

Charging takes about eight hours off a 200V 15A domestic outlet. This drops to about 40 minutes to (80 per cent capacity) using a 50kW rapid-charge system. Mazda says the battery pack is durable enough to maintain 80 per cent of its new capacity after five years of ordinary use.

The Demio has unusual additions to the normal EV fare. To preserve charge and extend range, the Demio EV has an E (eco-friendly) driving mode alongside the normal D mode. In E, the EMS reins in power usage wherever it can (acceleration, HVAC functions) while boosting the power of the brake energy regeneration system. The car also has a Charge Switch to further strengthen its regenerative powers when on downhill runs.

The high-efficiency HVAC system, developed especially for EVs, uses a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater to heat the cabin within seconds of startup, while the cooling system compressor is electrically powered rather than mechanical.

Among the factory-fitted options is a 100-volt power feed system to fit in the tyre space beneath the boot. This turns the vehicle into a useful power source when no grid access is available, for example in camping and in the event of natural disasters. It can provide up to 1500W and 100V of AC power to home and other appliances.

To counter the dangers of its relative silence around pedestrians, it has a ‘vehicle proximity notification system’, giving the car fake engine sounds at speeds of up to 25km/h. The sound changes according to speed and direction – forward or in reverse.

The car can be purchased outright for 3,577,000 yen (about AUD$44K). In keeping with its step-by-step ‘Building Block’ strategy, Mazda is using the lease program to build its knowledge of user relationships with EV technology.

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