The MX-30, Mazda’s first step into the EV market, has just begun production. They want to build an EV to appeal to the environmentally-conscious consumer. But have they made too many sacrifices in the name of reducing emissions?
Not the urban EV we’re looking for
Lately, I’ve been thinking of the need for a cheap, short-range EV. There is plenty of demand for an affordable car just to get around town. Not everyone is super concerned about their ability to take road-trips like a traveling salesman.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the urban EV I’ve been looking for. They got 2/3s of the puzzle down. The Mazda MX-30 will be on the smaller size, a perfect car for packed cities. It’s small 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery will give you less than 150 miles of range on a single charge. But it’s probably going to cost you at least $35,000.
So what’s the point of building a car with such a short range if it’s going to cost as much as it’s long-range competitors? Mazda isn’t just trying to build a bad car, they’re making the most environmentally conscious car. They decided to build an EV with the smallest battery they could to reduce lifecycle emissions from battery production.
Mazda claims the MX-30 is so sustainable it’s lifecycle emissions are lower than those of a gas car after only 50,000 miles. They’re trying to appeal to the environmentally-conscious consumer, making the switch to electric to reduce emissions.
But I’ve always felt that sustainability is the weakest selling point of EVs. Most people aren’t ready to switch to electric just to save the world. I feel like we should focus on the parts that matter to drivers, like the insane performance EVs can provide. The ONLY reason to buy the Mazda MX-30 is to lower your emissions.
Mazda wants you to buy their EV because it’s an environmentally conscious choice. As if it wouldn’t be environmentally conscious to buy, say, literally any other EV. The main selling point of the Mazda MX-30 is something it has in common with literally every single EV on the market.
Some may choose to buy the MX-30 because sustainability is the most important factor for them. But I think for most people the sacrifices made for sustainability will be too much. There are many other cars at this same price point with far more range and features. And those cars also appeal to the environmentally-conscious consumer.
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