Mazda plans to introduce electric vehicles by 2019

According to a report by CarAdvice, Mazda will introduce an electric vehicle (EV) by 2019, as it predicts that 10% of vehicles sales will be pure EV by 2020.

“Probably by 2020 globally, 5 to 10% [of vehicle sales] will be pure EV, while the other 90 to 95% will still use an internal combustion engine (ICE). Therefore ICE is [still] the most important technology all over the world,” said Kiyoshi Fujiwara, Mazda’s head of research and development.

“Of course we need EVs. As you know, in Norway, the complete energy source is water… this means that EVs are much better for CO2 in Norway. But not in United States or China… Therefore we are focusing on ICE, but for some regions we need EVs, so therefore in 2019 [or] within that time frame, we will introduce EVs where it is needed in the world,” he added.

Mazda’s EV will likely feature input from Toyota, with both companies currently engaged in partnership that was officially announced last year. It has been suggested that Toyota will provide fuel-cell and hybrid tech to Mazda, while Mazda will share its economical SkyActiv petrol and diesel engine technologies in return.

Details on the future model remain scarce for the moment, but Fujiwara says the EV will likely use an existing ICE-compatible platform, rather than a pure EV platform due to the small amount of battery packs installed.

“If huge battery volumes are required then yes [we need a new platform], if not then a unique platform is not required. As you remember we have a range-extender unit provided by rotary engine, [and] that system can help with some distance. We will be able to have two systems,” he explained.

The model being referred to is a third-generation Mazda 2 (or Demio) that packed a rotary engine and range-extender power unit. Alternatively, there’s also a fully-electric Demio revealed in 2012 that is capable of a 200 km driving range.

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