Mazda is making the move to electric vehicles! The new Mazda MX-30 is expected to get 144 horsepower and will be available in California as early as the Fall of 2021. Mazda did note that California was first, but other states will soon follow. Will you be getting in line?

What we know about the 2021 Mazda MX-30

Mazda announced earlier this week that the brand is officially adding the first all-electric vehicle to the lineup. The MX-30 will get the aforementioned 144 horsepower, an output of 107 kW. With 200 lb ft of torque, the MX-30 will be quick to move.

This new electric vehicle will have a 35.5 kWh battery charged to 80% in 36 minutes with DC fast-charging. And though Mazda might be a little late to the EV game, it seems the MX-30 will fit in quite well against the competition.

The one thing we don’t have a good picture of is the actual range of the MX-30. Perhaps Mazda hasn’t worked out all of the details yet. Inside EVs claims that Mazda offered an estimated range of about 124 miles or 200 km.

The brand did a little testing of the range and came out with about 83 miles or 135 km before needing a charge. Those numbers are likely to change, but it is a disappointing first run.

New electric vehicle competition

Jeff Guyton, President of Mazda North American Operations, said that Mazda is gearing up for the U.S. electric vehicle market demands.

“The battery-powered MX-30 will begin the introduction of additional electrified models, including a series plug-in hybrid with a rotary generator for MX-30, a plug-in hybrid for our new large platform, and a traditional hybrid for our new American-made crossover. While these powertrains will be optimized for their platforms, Mazda fans can expect great driving dynamics and beautiful design across all models.”

Jeff Guyton | Mazda

Since this Mazda will be American-made, it might also qualify for the new electric-vehicle incentives. That is rumored to be as high as $10,000. As of right now, the incentive is up to $7,500 for a federal tax credit, but that could be changing soon.

The introduction of the rotary generator is a huge move for the brand. Mazda says this “nearly silent” operation will work to replenish the battery instead of powering the wheels. This, combined with Mazda’s Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture, will help make the vehicle easy to drive.

Mazda is partnering with ChargePoint

ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations have a solid network across the U.S. already. Mazda didn’t elaborate further on the partnership, but the brand may offer free fast-charging for early buyers.

In addition to the charging benefits, Mazda has some new technology to help keep drivers safe. This includes the i-Activsense safety features to help keep your passengers safe while also making your vehicle more efficient.

Mazda might be a little slow on the EV uptake, but it seems the brand will hit the ground running. Will this be some new competition for the Volkswagen ID.4? It just might be.