makes an eco-friendly splash—not a wave—with their recent release of the 2022 MX-30 SUV. The Japanese manufacturer’s first entry into the all-electric market is a feeble attempt at best and demonstrates the company’s prioritized interests to combat carbon dioxide production through developed combustion engines and hybrid technologies.

The Mazda brand is known for sleek exteriors, cutting-edge design, and industry-leading innovation. It may come as a surprise, then, that the manufacturer is not that interested in directing its innovation towards an all-electric future. While the company has some intentions of making its place in the EV market, its efforts seem to lack compared to competing brands.

So what exactly is Mazda doing to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles? Come with

Jerry

—the licensed

car insurance

broker and first super app for car owners—as we dive deep into Mazda’s current and future efforts towards a greener future in the EV market and beyond. Find out if a Mazda EV is right for you and how to find an affordable insurance policy!

Does Mazda have electric cars?

Mazda has one all-electric car on the American market as of 2022—the new Mazda MX-30.

While the MX-30 is not Mazda’s first soiree in the fuel-alternative market at large, it is in the United States. Until now, the manufacturer has put all of its Hybrid and PHEV efforts into markets abroad—like with the new CX-60 PHEV coming strictly to the European market.

Some critics may see this limited availability as an evident resistance to switching gears, but the European market has had standard hybrids for years—so why not the United States? Perhaps this slow, gradual entry instead signifies diligent intention and care to test and develop a wider breadth of CO2-reducing technology. Is an all-electric line-up the end-all-be-all for eco-friendly manufacturing? Mazda may be on the hunt to find even more alternatives.

2022 Mazda MX-30

Starting price: $34,695

Powertrain: A single electric motor and a 30.0-kWh-kWh battery pack w/ 143-hp and 200 lb-ft of torque

Driving range: 100 miles

Charging time: 13.67 hours at 110V, 2.83 hours at 220V

The MX-30 SUV was made with the average American in mind. After all, a 100-mile driving range isn’t going to win any awards, but luckily most Americans only need to drive an average of 30 miles a day.

In fact, “average” may be the best blanket term to describe most aspects of the MX-30. It’s comparably sized to the

CX-30 crossover

with five seats for an average American family. The MX-30 is currently only available with FWD—no AWD—for average roads and average conditions.

Some may consider this Mazda’s acceleration as less than average based on its zero-to-60 time of 8.7 seconds alone, but the MX in its name—shared with the

MX-5 Miata

—indicates above-average handling and driver experience. Drivers looking for that extra special touch will likely be tickled by the crossover’s rear-hinged back doors and should consider the Premium Plus trim for a boatload of additional technology for driver assistance and entertainment.

All-in-all, “average” is not necessarily a bad thing. Plenty of consumers do not need above-and-beyond anything when it comes to their, and at a relatively reasonable starting price of $34,695—some may even call it average—the MX-30 could be the perfect entry-level EV for plenty of average American drivers.

MORE:

Are Mazdas good cars?

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How does Mazda’s electric car compare to competitors?

Point blank: the Mazda MX-30 is simply not for everyone. However, if you think you fall into the category of average American drivers who just want a reliable EV to complete their daily commute, then you may very well be looking at this electric SUV. Take some time to better understand how the MX-30 compares to its competitors to make sure it's the right pick for you.

Keep in mind that your brand and aesthetic preferences are important factors to take into consideration when comparing models. If you’re an average American driver and a die-hard Mazda fan, then you may already have the mindset that this is the perfect EV for you. However, there’s no harm in making sure your biases are working for you by considering the following factors.

Driving range and charging time

The driving range is one of the most important specs to know for an EV because it tells you how far you can expect to get on a single charge before having to plug it in. The MX-30’s 100-mile driving range is far from breaking any records—Tesla’s EVs regularly break 300—but this is intentional to build the crossover’s identity as a standard commuter vehicle.

Charging time can be just as important as driving range because it tells you how long you’ll have to wait to get back on the road once you’ve plugged in on an empty charge. The MX-30 comes standard with a 110 V Level 1 charger that supplies a full recharge in 14 hours. However, plugging into a 220 V Level 2 charger supples a full recharge in just under 3 hours.

See how Mazda compares to its mainstream competitors when it comes to driving range and charging time below:

Model	Driving range	Charging time at 220v	Charging time w DC fast charger
2022 Mazda MX-30	100 miles	2.8 hrs	20-80% in 36 min
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E	247-317 miles	11.4 hrs	10-80% in 45 min
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV	247 miles	7.5 hrs	93 mi range in 30 min
2022 Kia Niro EV	239 miles	9 hrs	10-80% in 1 hr
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric	258 miles	10 hrs	10-80% in 75 min
2022 Volkswagen ID.4	280 miles	7.5 hrs	0-80% in 38 min
2022 Tesla Model Y	303-330 miles	10 hrs	10-80% in 22 min

Performance

Unfortunately, this electric Mazda plays into the myth that sacrificing a combustion engine means sacrificing power and speed. The MX-30 EV lacks a considerable amount of horsepower and torque compared to all of its competitors. All we can hope is that the MX-30 won’t upend Mazda’s reputation as the most reliable manufacturer on the American market.

Check out the performance specs below to see how Mazda’s competitors compare and just how much the MX-30 lags behind.

Model	Maximum horsepower	Maximum torque	0 to 60 time
2022 Mazda MX-30	143-hp	200lb-ft	8.7 seconds
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E	480 hp	634 lb-ft	5.1 seconds
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV	200 hp	266 lb-ft	est. 7 seconds
2022 Kia Niro EV	201 hp	291 lb-ft	6.2 seconds
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric	201 hp	290 lb-ft	6.4 seconds
2022 Volkswagen ID.4	295 hp	339 lb-ft	5.4 seconds
2022 Tesla Model Y	est. 480 hp	375 lb-ft	3.6 seconds

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Cost of ownership

The long-term costs of ownership for a Mazda MX-30 EV—like insurance, maintenance, or repairs—are still unavailable since it's such a new vehicle. Repairpal.com estimates the average repair and maintenance costs for the entire Mazda brand at $462, but we’ll have to wait a while longer to see if the MX-30 follows in line.

While you wait, however, consider the following cost benefits and incentives included with a Mazda EV:

Generally speaking, all-electric vehicles face much lower fuel and maintenance costs than their combustion engine counterparts.

EV buyers are eligible for

electric car incentives

and federal tax credits of at least $7500 in benefits to start.

MX-30 customers will receive a $500 credit for a ChargePoint® Level 2 in-home charging unit or to be put towards public charging on the go.

When a longer trip calls, MX-30 customers can take advantage of Mazda’s Elite Access Loaner Program to trade out a longer-range non-electric vehicle, free of charge, for up to 10 days a year in the first three years of ownership.

The MX-30’s $34,695 starting price beat’s out the

Tesla Model Y

’s starting price at $62,900, but it’s not exactly a

budget electric car

. It’s more affordable to start than the $39,090

Kia Niro EV

and the $35,245

Hyundai Kona Electric

. However, both the Chevy Bolt—starting at $32,495—and the

Nissan Leaf

—starting at $28,425—have the MX-30 beat.

MORE: Are there hidden costs of owning an electric vehicle?

How to decide if going electric is right for you

The environmental benefits and $7,500 in federal tax credits may be enough to send you down the electric vehicle rabbit hole, but keep in mind that these eco-friendly cars can be a big commitment. They may be fun, quiet, and innovative, but they also require a considerable lifestyle change to maintain.

You’ve researched the factors that help to compare electric vehicle models. Now consider the following factors to determine if the MX-30—or any EV—can fit your lifestyle at this time:

Charging: Access to public charging stations is incredibly important for EV ownership. If you live in an area with little to no charging stations, you’ll have to be incredibly diligent about charging at home and limiting your driving in between charges.

Mileage: Are you one of the average Americans with daily driving needs well below 100 miles? An EV—but especially the MX-30—can only get you so far before things get complicated.

Long trips and traveling: While Mazda’s Elite Access Loaner Program increases your accessibility for occasional trips, it may not meet your needs if you plan on tackling a lot of long drives in the foreseeable future.

Car Storage: Storing your EV in a garage isn’t exactly a necessity, but it is the most viable location to set up an at-home charging station. If you only have access to street parking, at-home charging has the potential to become an EV logistical nightmare.

Keep your eyes peeled for standard hybrids and plug-in hybrid EVs coming to Mazda’s fleet soon.

MORE:

Affordable electric cars that fit your budget

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Mazda’s electric future

While many of its competitors like

plan for EV manufacturing to take up at least more than half of their production lines by 2030, Mazda only projects for EVs to make up a mere 25% of their global production.

The manufacturer has no intention to remove combustion engines from the majority of their line-up, but they do plan for all models to go hybrid, PHEV, or fully electric.

Additionally, Mazda hopes that combustion engines can be developed for eco-friendly performance. They are especially interested in the ways that alternative fuels can play a part in CO2 reduction efforts.

MORE:

Car insurance for green vehicle

Plan for the future with affordable car insurance

Although an all-electric future may not be in the books for the Mazda brands, an eco-friendlier future is definitely in the works. However, the future of affordable

car insurance

shopping is already here! While you wait for the Mazda green vehicle of your dreams, download the

Jerry

app to see how you can start saving today!

Jerry makes finding the cheapest policy for your unique vehicle easier than ever. Signing up only takes 45 seconds and Jerry does all the grueling information-gathering for you. Just sit back and relax while competitive customized quotes sourced from over 50+ of the nation’s top providers pop up before your very eyes.

Pick your favorite, and Jerry’s team of insurance experts take care of the rest to cancel your old policy and secure your new one. The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year—imagine putting that towards the electric vehicle of your dreams!