Mazda 2 EV Available for Lease in Japan Later This Year
In October, Mazda will offer 100 Demio EVs for lease in western Japan, hoping to learn more about developing electric cars and the needs of EV owners through what is essentially a focus group test.
The Demio is the equivalent of the Mazda 2 here in the U.S., and by offering only 100 units for lease, the Japanese automaker will be able to keep a close eye on the vehicles and their owners, similar to what BMW is doing with its ActiveE model. If the lease program is successful, it will undoubtedly increase the chances that the electrified Mazda 2 finds its way into mass production, and potentially to more markets.
For now, the Demio EV features an electric motor with 101-hp and 111 lb-ft of torque, while a 20 kWh battery gives it a driving range of about 124 miles. And like other EVs on the market, a typical full charge can take up to eight hours, while an 80 percent capacity fast charge can be done in just 40 minutes if need be.
The automaker hopes to have an electric vehicle in the U.S. market by 2018 – which sounds really far off compared to other initiatives current automakers are doing. We recently reviewed the Honda Fit EV, which showed that electric cars aren’t necessarily boring, but Mazda may be way late to the party if there’s another six more years of waiting.
[Source: Automobile Mag]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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