Mazda MX-30 rotary range-extender one step closer to Australia

The Mazda MX-30‘s rotary-powered range-extender variant is edging closer to showrooms after two years of delays, with three Australian trademark applications hinting at an upcoming arrival for the hybrid powertrain.

Range-extenders act as a generator, increasing an electric car’s range by charging its battery while on the move, rather than directly driving the wheels.

Submitted to IP Australia, Mazda has trademarked the ‘e-SKYACTIV R-EV’ and ‘e-SKYACTIV R-HEV’ names – likely referencing the MX-30’s e-Skyactiv engine as well as the planned Rotary-Electric Vehicle and Rotary-Hybrid Electric Vehicle variants.

A third trademark application has revealed Mazda’s proposed design for the badges on its range-extender equipped models, incorporating an ‘e’ (for electric) inside the shape of a rotor.

While Mazda’s rotary engine design has a number of shortcomings – such as a lack of torque, high fuel consumption, and a question mark over long-term reliability – the car-maker claims its range-extender would not suffer the same issues due to the engine running at a steady state.

Mazda claims the MX-30 Electric has a maximum driving range of between 200km and 224km from its 35.5kWh battery – approximately half the range of its competitors in the $70,000-75,000 electric car market. However, real-world testing by Drive has found its maximum driving distance on a single charge is closer to 150km.

In March 2021 – before the MX-30 arrived in Australia – Mazda’s local arm said it was interested in adding the rotary range-extender powered variant to its 2022 line-up, however the model is yet to enter production.

Since its Australian arrival in 2021, Mazda has sold 1556 examples of the MX-30 – the company’s second-lowest selling model, behind the MX-5 sports car.

“Sales for the full-electric Mazda MX-30 are in line with Mazda Australia’s projections. A portion of the initial allocation of Mazda MX-30 Electric models remain available, along with some ex-demonstrator models,” a statement from the company said at the time.