produces a , but car enthusiasts and critics have been less than thrilled with its capabilities. The Mazda MX-30 doesn’t have much range compared to its rivals. Jeffrey Guyton, CEO of Mazda USA, says most EVs have a longer range than their drivers actually use.
Does the Mazda MX-30 have enough range for the average driver?
The only way to determine whether or not the MX-30 has adequate range is to do a bit of math involving the average distance traveled per year and the total range of the MX-30. An article on average miles traveled per year states that Americans drove an average of 14,263 miles per year in 2019. Drivers traveled significantly less in 2020, but COVID-19 hit in 2020…so we don’t use that number.
on a fully charged battery. So, the average driver will need to charge an MX-30 EV about every couple of days to avoid completely depleting the battery’s capacity. No battery capacity equals stillness. Sounds scary and impractical until you consider the future of EV charging and charging infrastructure.
The reality is that EV owners will charge their vehicles more times a week than ICE vehicle owners will fill their gas tanks. Recharging an EV every couple of days isn’t unreasonable for people with a fast charger at home. Companies like ChargePoint offer Level 2 chargers on Amazon for $749 (not including setup fees). Keep in mind that these chargers require specific circuitry.
The Mazda MX-30 range is suited to this type of driver
If you have a Level 2 fast charger installed in your home, charging the MX-30 for a few hours every couple of days shouldn’t be a hassle. Sure, you have to be careful about the range you use, but the Mazda USA CEO makes a fair point about range anxiety and the future of EV ownership.
While almost any electric vehicle could use a little more range, the real problem is the charging infrastructure. America needs a lot more charging stations for PHEVs and EVs. Companies like Volkswagen are paving the way for the electric future. To truly enjoy the EV ownership experience, drivers will need to have safe home charging systems (EV batteries that don’t get hot) and access to several local fast chargers.
Should you get a 2023 Mazda MX-30 EV?
The 2023 Mazda MX-30 EV starts at $34,110. GreenCarReports.com says the subcompact SUV makes 143 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. It is not for drivers with range anxiety. It is an ideal EV for drivers who can easily install a Level 2 charger at home and have access to several EV chargers in their community.
Will the range of electric vehicles decrease more and more as the charging infrastructure improves? Only time will tell, but sales numbers show that Americans are interested in EVs that provide at least 200 miles of range.
Let us know what you think about the practicality of the MX-30 EV in the comments section below.
