As Canada moves towards the mandatory target for the sale of zero-emission SUVs and light-duty trucks in 2035, the world of electric vehicles is becoming crowded with options for a travelling public keen to make the switch to electric vehicles.
One of the latest to announce its entry into the electric vehicle market, Mazda has just launched its new, first-ever all electric Mazda MX-30 EV in Canada.
Available exclusively in British Columbia and Quebec, this new zero emission EV delivers a fun and sporty ride that’s ideal for the urban and commuting family.
Mazda MX-30 EV Canada
According to the government of Canada, transportation accounts for about 25% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. After our heat dome summer and catastrophic wildfire season in the west, many Canadians realize that we need a solution to create a greener future.
Mazda’s first battery electric vehicle, the all-new 2022 MX-30 provides consumers with a more sustainable option to help drivers reduce their overall environmental footprint and represents Mazda’s next step towards carbon neutrality.
Mazda has taken a holistic approach to this vehicle, ensuring minimal environmental impact throughout the entire production process.
This led to the ingenious use of sustainable materials (cork, which is an industry first; premium vegan leather; recycled threads), a unique approach to battery pack size and placement, and an emphasis on ensuring a natural driving experience.
Led by Tomiko Takeuchi, Mazda’s first female program director, the MX-30 is designed with openness in mind. Freestyle doors, a floating console, and two-tone seats create a premium look and feel.
Review of the Mazda MX-30 EV
On a gorgeous autumn day, we took full advantage of the great weather to put the 2022 Mazda MX-30 EV electric car through its paces around Vancouver’s North Shore.
We drove along winding Marine Drive to Lighthouse Park; up to Cypress Mountain to enjoy a great city view; stopped at Capilano Suspension Bridge; and headed down to Deep Cove for kayaking and a box of Honey’s doughnuts.
As an owner of an electric vehicle, I am familiar with their workings, which include a quiet operation and quick acceleration. There’s a lot of power at your fingertips – and foot pedal – with an electric motor. There’s no internal combustion engine or gear box so the power is immediate; the car’s batteries, quiet.
I didn’t have to worry about electric vehicle charging stations while driving the MX-30, because the battery range on the car is approximately 160 km. This is ideal for urban commuting and weekends shuttling the family to soccer and dance practices, grocery shopping and dinner out.
Plus, going downhill and braking regenerates the EV’s batteries, which means you can even maintain mileage as you drive in urban settings. The smaller battery reflects a commitment to limiting the environmental impacts of large battery production, and Canadians’ average urban driving habits. Especially in a city like Vancouver.
Bells and Whistles
So how is the new Mazda MX-30 to drive? Well, it’s fun! The MX-30 is easy to drive, and for a crossover vehicle, doesn’t feel too large. With Front Cross Traffic Alert (great for blind spots) and front and rear parking sensors, the MX-30 was easy to park and navigate.
The interior features 8.8 inch centre display and a floating console, with all the buttons necessary to operate the excellent BOSE stereo (with speakers at ear level, genius), and the heat and air con systems for climate control. There’s a heated steering wheel, which would be a joy during the cold winter months.
You can connect smartphones to the BOSE system’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which my navigator Layla quickly set up so we could be serenaded by Adele’s latest album.
The interior features two-toned seats in recycled thread or vegan leather options, and warm, natural cork details. The cork harkens back to the company’s early 20th century roots as a cork manufacturer.
Mazda’s History of Cork
Cork isn’t a material often associated with the automotive industry. But in the case of Mazda this sustainable material features in the brand’s past and future.
It’s a little-known fact that the company began life in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo. The Mazda MX-30 makes a clever design nod to the company’s founding business with the use of cork in the cabin.
As the only car company that started life as a cork producer, Mazda’s centenary was the perfect opportunity to use cork to line the floating centre console and inner door handle trim of its first battery electric production car. This was seen a fitting tribute to a material that set in motion the enterprise that become Mazda Corporation.
Harvested from the bark of cork trees without felling the trees themselves, the cork used in the MX-30 is formed with a high-quality coating and backing material to ensure it has the durability and quality expected in a Mazda cabin.
With 2020 being Mazda’s centenary year, the timing of cork’s return to Mazda is a wonderful and fitting reminder of the company’s origins.
Mazda’s Electric Future
To meet Canada’s commitment for the sale of zero-emission SUVs and light-duty trucks in 2035, Mazda will be producing 13 new electrified vehicles by 2025. The company will have an all-electrified lineup by 2030.
Disclosure: The writer thanks Mazda for the opportunity to test drive the new MX-30. As always, her enjoyment of driving and Honey’s doughnuts is honest and her own.
- 8 of the most spectacular BC roadtrips - March 28, 2024
- 21 fantastic things to do in Whistler in summer - March 23, 2024
- 7 unique places to experience Ainu culture in Hokkaido - March 22, 2024
