The All-Electric Mazda MX-30 (SUV): The Complete Electric Car Buying Guide For India

---

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

---

Electric Cars: The Basics

---

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

---

Sign up to the newsletter

---

The Mazda MX-30 Electric SUV

---

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.

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: 

• All-electric Mazda MX-30 (BEV)
• Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
• Mazda CX-80 plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
• Mazda MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

The all-electric Mazda MX-30 crossover SUV, is the first production battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from Mazda. The pure electric compact SUV was unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. The Mazda electric vehicle (EV) has been positioned for the urban driver, with the Japanese automotive manufacturer following a very similar ethos to Honda-e, in keeping the EV battery size small. Both the Mazda MX-30 and Honda-e use a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion EV battery.

Mazda is unique, in that, one of the key determinants of the EV battery size was the ‘life-cycle’ environmental impact. According to Mazda, the smaller battery pack has a more positive environmental footprint, challenging some of the conventional wisdom in the electric vehicle sector, with automotive manufacturers aspiring for large EV batteries with longer zero-emission electric range. 

In our view, electric cars that are offered in different EV battery size options are best positioned for the long-term. A choice of battery options widens the consumer base, to include, city drivers and longer distance motorway drivers.

The Mazda electric vehicle is positioned for the young urban commuter and its 35.5 kWh battery size reflects the shorter city commutes. Mazda claims an emission-free electric range up to 200 km (WLTP). Of course, the real-world range will be lower, and realistically the EV will deliver just over 170 km.

However, given the positioning of the compact crossover i.e. city dwellers, a 170 km pure electric range is more than sufficient. Do keep in mind that the average commute in India is a mere 25 km and the average distance covered a day is 50 km. Urban day-to-day needs require far less range i.e. local grocery store, high street, school run etc!

In general, we do recommend a topping up approach to charging an electric car. This way, there is always sufficient range available and the time for charging is reduced. Moreover, charging an electric car on a regular basis is good for the long-term maintenance of the EV battery. Mazda offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.

The EV offers DC charging up to 50 kW, which is more than sufficient, given the size of the onboard EV battery. The electric car can be charged up to 80% in 26 minutes. Just enough time for a coffee and short motorway break.

The MX-30 e-SUV incorporates a 6.46 kW AC (1-phase) onboard charger. This again is appropriate, given that most homes in India are powered by single-phase power supply. The EV battery can be charged up to 80% in 3 hours via a dedicated single-phase home EV charging station like myenergi zappi. We discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car. The EV will take up to 9 hours and 30 minutes to charge up to 80% via a standard domestic socket!

In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive Mazda MX-30 delivers 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, with a 140 km/h top speed (maximum power: 145 PS/ torque: 271 Nm). The electric car also benefits from instant torque. The pure electric MX-30 comes with 5 driving modes.

Mazda has made it a point to emphasise the key environmental credentials of EV. The company has opted for low-impact and sustainable materials for the inside cabin, to include, recycled plastic bottles and cork harvested from the bark of trees without felling. This is a trend gaining momentum among automotive manufacturers to deliver on improved life-cycle environmental footprint.

In terms of technology and safety features, depending on the trim, the EV offers: 7” touch-screen for climate control settings, 7” TFT instrument cluster display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, blind spot monitoring, driver attention alert, emergency lane-keeping, intelligent speed assist, traffic sign recognition, reversing camera, head-up display, Mazda radar cruise control and more.

The e-SUV has been designed for the urban environment, and this certainly has impacted the internal cabin space. For rear seat passenger, the legroom and headroom is limited. Moreover, due to the ‘BMWi3‘ type door configuration, gaining access to the rear seats is not as easy as a more traditional four-door vehicle. The EV has a 350 L boot.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!

---

PROS	CONS
An affordable compact electric SUV	Limited electric range
Familiar in design to petrol variants (for those consumers who prefer familiarity when migrating to electric driving)	Access to rear seats not easy
Low-impact and sustainable materials for the inside cabin	Limited legroom, headroom for rear seats and small boot space

---

The Mazda MX-30 Electric SUV (credit: Mazda)

---

At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Vehicle Type:	SUV (Compact Crossover)
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	No

---

Trims (4 Options)
Mazda MX-30 SE-L LUX
Mazda MX-30 First Edition
Mazda MX-30 Sport LUX
Mazda MX-30 GT Sport Tech

---

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size (35.5 kWh)
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (0-80%: 36 mins). On board charger: 6.6kW AC
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 100,000 miles

---

Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

---

Dimensions
Height (mm):	1555
Width (mm):	1795
Length (mm):	4395
Wheelbase (mm):	2655

---

SE-L LUX
EV Battery Capacity:	35.5 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	124 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	19.0
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (0-80%: 36 mins). On board charger: 6.6kW AC
Top Speed:	87 mph
0-62 mph:	9.7 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	107
Max Power (PS):	145
Torque (Nm):	271
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,645
Colours:	5

---

First Edition
EV Battery Capacity:	35.5 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	124 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	19.0
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (0-80%: 36 mins). On board charger: 6.6kW AC
Top Speed:	87 mph
0-62 mph:	9.7 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	107
Max Power (PS):	145
Torque (Nm):	271
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,645
Colours:	4

---

Sport LUX
EV Battery Capacity:	35.5 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	124 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	19.0
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (0-80%: 36 mins). On board charger: 6.6kW AC
Top Speed:	87 mph
0-62 mph:	9.7 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	107
Max Power (PS):	145
Torque (Nm):	271
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,645
Colours:	8

---

GT Sport Tech
EV Battery Capacity:	35.5 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	124 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	19.0
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (0-80%: 36 mins). On board charger: 6.6kW AC
Top Speed:	87 mph
0-62 mph:	9.7 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	107
Max Power (PS):	145
Torque (Nm):	271
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,645
Colours:	8

---

What Is A Heat Pump In Electric Cars?

---

EV Heat Pump: The Basics
What is a heat pump in electric cars?	In conventional internal combustion engine (ICE), petrol and diesel vehicles, the energy (waste heat) generated from the engine (powertrain), is captured to re-use for heating the interior cabin of the vehicle. However, in pure electric cars, the heat generated (waste heat) from the electric drive (electric motor, inverter, on-board AC charger) and the onboard high-voltage EV battery is not as much, as the heat generated in conventional cars, and cannot be re-used on its own to provide sufficient cabin heating (electric cars are more efficient than petrol/ diesel cars). Therefore in EVs, the sources for capturing heat, also includes the outside air i.e. it is a multi-source heat pump system. This captured heat is re-used for the onboard EV battery management and also for heating the cabin interior, increasing the electric car efficiency and reducing the need to draw energy from the onboard EV battery. In general, a lithium-ion EV battery is less energy efficient during colder months (similar to the laptop or smartphone battery).
How does a heat pump increase electric range in colder winter months?	Electric cars that do not incorporate an onboard heat pump, rely on the energy of the onboard EV battery for heating the interior cabin of the electric car, further impacting the available e-range. In contrast, EVs with a heat pump, do not rely on the onboard EV battery to heat the cabin. Instead, the heat pump sources heat from multiple sources and releases energy-efficient heating into the cabin. Put another way, an electric car with a heat pump does not place any demand on the onboard EV battery for heating the interior cabin. There is ample real-world evidence to prove that electric cars with a heat pump offer longer electric range in winter months, compared to electric cars that do not incorporate a heat pump. The average improvement in range is between 10% to 20%.
How does a heat pump work in an electric car?	Step 1: naturally heated antifreeze is channelled into the heat pump evaporator, where the heat is transferred to the coolant circulating in the unit. The evaporator converts the coolant into gas (evaporation). Step 2: the gas is sucked into a compressor to increase the pressure of the gas. When air is compressed it increases its temperature. The gas temperature is increased to 80° C. Step 3: the compressed gas is transferred to a condenser, where the heat is transferred to water in the condenser. Step 4: the heat is then circulated to the interior cabin, while the gas is converted into liquid form, and is transferred back to the heat pump evaporator via an expansion valve. The cycle is then repeated.
Is a heat pump used only for heating?	No. A heat pump can also be used for cooling. As an example, the Audi Q7 EV uses the onboard heat pump for heating and cooling.
Does a heat pump come as standard in EVs?	Though some manufacturers offer the heat pump as standard, most offer it as an optional extra. We recommend purchasing the option.
Can a heat pump be installed in an electric car post delivery?	Usually it is not possible, given the complexity of installing a heat pump. So always order it at the time of purchase.
Are all heat pumps in electric cars the same?	No. There is a difference in technology, approach and efficiency achieved for different manufacturers. As an example, Hyundai and Kia claim to have one of the most efficient heat pumps, given the ability of their technology to dynamically choose the most appropriate heat source at a given moment. Hyundai claims the heat pump incorporated in the all-electric Hyundai Kona can improve the winter electric range up to 18%, significantly higher than the average improvement (10%).
Are there any other advantages offered by a heat pump in colder months?	Yes, you can pre-heat the electric vehicle (EV) via your mobile app before you commence your journey. This way you can have a toasty warm interior cabin on a cold winter day!

---

While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

---

Related articles

---