Mazda restarts MX-30 100-mile EV program without rotary range extender or rationale for buying it
Mazda fans rejoice! After a brief hiatus, the Japanese automaker has brought its 100-mile range EV back to the masses … of California. Mazda shared updated pricing and available packages of the 2023 MX-30 today, but to our (somewhat reserved) surprise, without the small rotary range engine previously promised – all for an MSRP higher than its previous model.
Don’t get us wrong, we’re always excited to see fresh EV models announced, but the question that continually surfaces when discussing the Mazda MX-30 is why? Or, at the very least, why now? The Japanese automaker kicked off its entry into BEVs with this five passenger crossover in the summer of 2021, and while it was exciting to see Mazda deliver an actual electric vehicle to the United States, its specs left quite a bit to be desired.
At a lean 100-mile range, the Mazda MX-30 looked to fill a segment of low range commuter EVs that will one day be more popular (probably), but right now we’re still in a relatively young period of EV adoption when the common consumer is not properly educated on how much actual range they need, a time when range anxiety and high prices remain a major hurdle in getting combustion drivers to make the switch.
The market shared a similar sentiment, as sales of the crossover started slow and dwindled down to single monthly digits a year after launching. Only selling the EV in California didn’t do Mazda any favors either. If you’re going to try to compete in the current EV mecca of the United States, you better bring more to the table.
After selling 505 units in 2022, Mazda relayed that the MX-30 had sold out in the United States California, again showing limited faith and resources in a BEV we wondered would even return in 2023. Today we have learned that Mazda is in fact bringing the MX-30 back in 2023, but if you were hoping for more range or a lower MSRP, we’re sorry to be the ones to have to tell you that you won’t be getting them.
Mazda MX-30 arrives in CA this spring, where else unknown
Mazda shared details of the 2023 version of its MX-30 today, including its revised starting price of $34,110 – up about $700 compared to the 2022 version. That price increase would actually be quite agreeable if there were any improvement’s the the BEVs performance, but its still equipped with the same 35.5 kWh battery pack delivering approximately 100 miles of EPA range.
It does have an 8.8-inch center display and Apple CarPlay though, sooo …
For an extra $3,000, you can upgrade to the Premium Plus package, which includes a 12-speaker Bose audio system, heated steering wheel, 360° View Monitoring, and (are you sitting?) three free months of Sirius XM. What were you expecting? Upgraded performance?
It also comes in Jet Black, but you can upgrade to Gray Metallic or Ceramic Metallic for another $595 or $895 respectively. Or you can buy a Chevy Bolt EV for about $9,000 less and get an extra 150 miles of range.
The truth is, the MX-30 is essentially designed as a plug-in hybrid, but it currently lacks an engine – a vital component in hybrid performance. Its tiny battery pack even leaves room for a rotary engine that can work as a range extender, something Mazda previous shared it intended to add to the EV.
The problem is, Mazda still hasn’t introduced the rotary engine on the 2023 MX-30, so its limited range remains an almost impossible sell to consumers when there are other BEVs that go further for less of their hard earned money.
Mazda is not wrong about there being a future need for short commute EVs for work or as a second vehicle for trips around town, and that’s how the company has pitched this vehicle. However, its price remains too high to justify a purchase for many, especially as other competitors like GM and Hyundai Motor Group are reaching a sweet spot at, or in some cases, well below $40k.
We’ve asked the automaker about the missing rotary engine and if it plans to sell this bad boy outside of California, here’es the response we got:
We have no update to share on the US availability of MX-30 PHEV. Globally, Mazda introduces models and powertrains to markets based on a multi-solution strategy that considers regional differences in energy production, environmental regulations, and customer needs. In the U.S., we’re currently focused on electrifying our upcoming CX-90 and CX-70 that will debut this year.
For now, California residents can expect to see the 2023 MX-30s rolling out to Mazda dealerships this spring. How many the company intends to sell before declaring this year’s model sold out also remains a mystery at this point, but 505 units shouldn’t be a difficult benchmark to surpass … or perhaps it will be.
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Environment
Tesla releases details about ‘Robotaxi’ launch: there’s a ‘safety monitor’ in front seat
Tesla has released the details about its planned ‘Robotaxi’ launch in Austin, Texas, this weekend, and it’s even worse than we thought. There’s going to be a “safety monitor” in the front seat.
Over the last few weeks, we have been discussing how Tesla’s planned launch of a “Robotaxi” service was a game of smoke and mirrors, meant to improve the optics of the automaker’s self-driving efforts as Waymo emerges as a clear leader.
The planned service is a geo-fenced and teleoperation-supported ride-hailing service operated by a small internal fleet, which is completely different from Tesla’s long-promised unsupervised self-driving in consumer vehicles through its “Full Self-Driving program.”
Furthermore, we have been reported on Tesla’s limited testing in Austin, which CEO Elon Musk claimed involved “no driver”, but test vehicles have all been spotted with Tesla employees in the front passenger seats with access to buttons to stop the car or have it pull over.
In comparison, Waymo tested its vehicles for 6 months with a safety driver in the car and 6 months without a safety driver in the car in Austin before launching its commercial service earlier this year.
Now, Tesla has sent invitations to some known pro-Tesla influencers, primarily on Musk’s X social media platform, to experience the launch of the Robotaxi service this weekend.
The invitations confirm extreme limitations in the service, with the most significant one being the presence of a “safety monitor” in the passenger seat.
Here are the other requirements listed:
- You must agree to Terms of Service, Rider Rules, Privacy Notice, and Service Animal Policy.
- You must have a credit/debit card on file.
- You can request a ride via the app from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM, within the geofenced area (excluding airports).
- Operational hours and geofence details are available in the app and may change.
- Service may be limited or unavailable in inclement weather.
- Only the invited user may download and use the Robotaxi app.
- Participants must be courteous and respectful; unsafe or disrespectful behavior may lead to termination.
- Riders should provide a star rating and feedback in the app.
- Photos and videos of the experience are permitted.
- Smoking, vaping, consuming alcohol, and using drugs are not permitted inside the Robotaxi.
- Robotaxi may not be used in connection with any crime or to transport weapons or illegal/hazardous materials (e.g., flammable or combustible liquids).
- Surveillance, reverse engineering, or recording of proprietary Robotaxi components or features is strictly prohibited.
- Tesla may suspend or terminate access if:
- You violate any of these rules.
- You post or share content on social media that depicts misuse or violations inside the Robotaxi.
In short, Tesla’s “Robotaxi” service is going to launch with the supervision of Tesla employees in the front seat at all times. It’s limited to 6 am to 12 am and it doesn’t work in “inclement weather.
Electrek’s Take
Again, like I repeatedly said, this is all about optics. Tesla is just trying to get a win and say that it “launched its robotaxi on time in June” when this is basically Tesla’s public FSD with the supervising driver being moved to the passenger seat.
At least it’s going to be safer than if Tesla went without it, but it clearly shows that Tesla is falling far behind Waymo and the competition when it comes to self-driving.
The main thing that people like about Waymo and there are even willing to pay more than Uber is the fact that there’s no one else in the car.
This simply won’t scale. Tesla has yet to solve self-driving. It needs to focus on that instead of appearences.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the Tesla Robotaxi launch this weekend, the new Nissan Leaf, Ford’s upcoming low-cost EVs, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
Today, the episode is live at 8 a.m instead due to Fred’s travels in China.
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