Mazda’s Hiroshima plant is now solar-powered – Even the MX-30’s batteries are charged by the sun!
CY Foong · Jul 14, 2021 04:20 PM
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As car companies approach ways to present themselves as more environmentally-friendly, Mazda is doing something a little bit different from just committing to an all-EV line-up. One of their plants in Japan will not only be powered by nature’s giant ball of light but its EV batteries will also be charged by the sun.
An MX-30 battery pack being charged by the sun
That’s right, apart from supplying electricity to the entire Hiroshima plant, the power generated by the newly-installed solar panel will also be used to charge the batteries of all Mazda MX-30 EV models produced there.
The solar power system boasts an output of 1.1 MW of electricity and is part of Mazda’s efforts to promote green manufacturing lines and offices.
An MX-5 rolling off the Hiroshima Plant
The Hiroshima plant is the first Mazda plant to be powered by solar energy and is home to a few models including the CX-30, CX-9, and the MX-5. It is also Mazda’s oldest plant with production first started in 1931.
Mazda says it will strive to introduce and use green electricity in its efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Meanwhile, the MX-30 was supposed to arrive in Malaysia in Q1 2021. Obviously, that has passed and the unique crossover is nowhere to be seen. The Malaysia-bound MX-30 was initially rumoured to be assembled locally (CKD) with a hybrid model only offered at launch. Would you want this hybrid SUV to make it here?
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
