MAZDA ADOPTS NACS! BUT THEY STILL DON'T HAVE CLEAR EV PLANS | EPISODE 241

EV Channels Review

Mazda has announced its adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its battery electric vehicles launching in North America from 2025 onwards. This move, while expected as the industry standardizes, comes as Mazda's EV footprint remains minimal. The discussion highlights the MX-30, Mazda's sole BEV to date, which was largely a compliance car with a limited 100-mile range and a mid-$30,000 price point, earning it the title of 'worst EV' in 2022. While Mazda plans to introduce 13 electrified models by 2025, including three pure EVs, and aims for 100% electrification by 2030 with 25% being pure EVs, their current offering is scarce. The podcast also touches on the potential for an electrified Miata, emphasizing that its core identity is lightweight design, not powertrain, making electrification less offensive than in other iconic models. However, practical battery technology for such a lightweight vehicle remains a hurdle, with solid-state batteries being a potential future solution. The adoption of NACS is seen as a necessary step, but Mazda's overall EV strategy is still largely a 'wait and see' situation.