LA show: Mazda to debut EV in 2019

A SENIOR Mazda official has confirmed that the company is developing an electric vehicle that is set for release in 2019.

Mazda Motor Corporation senior managing executive officer of research and development Kiyoshi Fujiwara confirmed to Australian journalists at the Los Angeles motor show that the company would build the car in time for a 2019 debut, but that the details were still “a big secret”.

Mr Fujiwara did confirm, however, that the car would likely carry a rotary engine as a range-extending generator, similar to the Mazda2 RE concept of 2013.

The revelation came during a discussion of Mazda’s growing relationship with fellow Japanese automaker Toyota, but Mr Fujiwara confirmed that the propulsion system would be made in-house, rather than sourced from elsewhere.

“At Mazda, we are developing an EV system by ourselves,” said Mr Fujiwara.

“Sharing (with Toyota) is a discussion point. We have not decided yet, but we are discussing it.”

He refused to divulge details of the car’s potential size or range, but admitted that a larger car would likely require a new platform.

“If a huge battery array is needed, then yes (we will need a new platform)”, he said. “But higher performance will require a higher price, so we are carefully considering (our options).

Mr Fujiwara explained that an EV would help the company’s brand image, but would not become a “core product”.

He also said that electrification will only be a relatively small part of the total propulsion picture even in 2020, and the petrol engine will still play a major role.

“If battery costs could drop – say, one-fifth or one-tenth – it would be better (for EVs),” he said. “In 2020, for example, there will be five or 10 per cent of EVs in Europe, but the other 95 or 90 will still use internal combustion. It’s still very important.”

Mr Fujiwara dismissed hybrid technology as not suiting Mazda’s current range of naturally aspirated engines, known as SkyActiv.

“Hybrid is a very complicated technology,” he said, “and if we can develop SkyActiv further, then we can do without it. We would need a milder type of hybrid for SkyActiv.” And while Mr Fujiwara suggested the model would be on offer globally, it was not likely to suit all markets.

“Of course we need EV, but it depends on the markets,” he said, citing Norway as an example of an EV-ready environment.

Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders is on record as suggesting the local market is not ready for electric vehicles, due to a lack of government assistance for potential customers.

Currently, Mazda offers the Mazda3 in Japan with the battery pack and electric motor from the Toyota Prius, teamed up with a detuned version of its 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.

Sold as the Axela, it has been ruled out for Australia on several occasions by senior Mazda Australia management.