Bermaz Auto, the parent company of Mazda distributor Bermaz Motor, has confirmed to its shareholders and partner banks that it will be launching the Mazda MX-30 EV in Malaysia.

The fully electric C-segment Mazda SUV will be launched in Malaysia sometime around Q3 or Q4 2022.

This gives Bermaz slightly more than one year to sell the MX-30 tax-free before import and excise tax exemptions for imported (CBU) battery electric vehicles (BEVs) expire on 31-December 2023.

Also read: Budget 2022: Expiry date of 0% import and excise tax for BEVs - 2023 for CBUs, 2025 for CKDs

Also read: Spied: Mazda MX-30 EV lands in Malaysia, launching in 2022?

The Japan-made Mazda MX-30 is loosely based on the Mazda CX-30, but with very different exterior and interior styling, complete with rear-hinged doors (also known as ‘suicide doors’).

The MX-30 makes 145 PS and 271 Nm, powered by a 35.5 kWh battery pack. Under the more stringent WLTP test cycle, it has a range of up to 209 km.

It takes between 30 to 40 minutes to charge from 0 to 80 percent using a 50 kW DC fast charger. If charged at home using a 6.6 kW AC charger, it takes 4.5 hours to fully charge the MX-30.

Its charging socket is of the Type 2 (for AC) and CCS (for DC) variety.

Also read: What is CHAdeMO and CCS? Everything you need to know about charging EVs

There’s also a plug-in hybrid version of the MX-30, but that’s not the model Bermaz is referring to.

The plug-in hybrid MX-30 has yet to be launched globally, so details are still scarce. Rumour has it that its powertrain will be quite unique, with a rotary-engine that works as a series-hybrid to charge the battery rather than to drive the wheels.

What's the estimated price for the Mazda MX-30 EV in Malaysia?

In the UK, prices for the Mazda MX-30 starts GBP 25,545 (about RM 142,000), but that’s after EV incentives by the UK government, which is limited only to vehicles priced below GBP 32,000 (about RM 178,000).

For comparison, the Hyundai Kona EV starts at GBP 30,450 (about RM 169,440) in the UK.

In other words, the MX-30 is cheaper than the Hyundai Kona EV. But that’s also because the Mazda has a smaller battery and shorter range (305 km for the Hyundai Kona EV, under identical WLTP cycle).

Also read: 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric launched – Cheapest EV in Malaysia, from RM 149k

Whether will this price hierarchy be the same in Malaysia is still left to be seen, as final pricing is contingent on many other factors, not just the wholesale / transfer price of the vehicle.

In Malaysia, prices of the Hyundai Kona EV range from RM 149,888 to RM 199,888. The Mazda MX-30 EV is likely to be priced at around this range, if not lower.