Jeffrey Guyton believes EV owners will adapt to their vehicle's abilities, especially as charging tech and infrastructure improve.
Mazda USA's CEO isn't losing sleep over the EV range battle consuming so many manufacturers, says Green Car Reports.
Speaking at the launch of the new Mazda CX-90, Jeffrey Guyton told the publication he believes second-time electric vehicle owners will adapt their needs and priorities to suit their vehicles. A lot of consumers won't even consider an EV that has less than 250 miles of range, simply because it is impractical.
But the reality is that most people travel far less than that. Studies show the average American covers around 40 miles a day, meaning even the Mazda MX-30 - with its paltry 100-mile range - should serve the daily needs of most motorists. Of course, the reality is that 100 miles simply isn't enough.
But Guyton believes that as charging infrastructure improves and charging technology improves, 300 miles should be more than sufficient for most people. Consumers will realize they don't even need that much range, added the CEO.
A maximum of 300 miles would still hamper those who want to embark on long-distance trips. If charging advanced to the point where a battery can be fully replenished in 10 minutes, it may be possible. Mazda is yet to introduce a practical electric vehicle. The MX-30 isn't a practical buy, as rivals offer considerably more range for less money.
The newly-introduced CX-90 will be the brand's first plug-in hybrid sold in the United States. Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, the three-row SUV produces 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
Should range not be an issue in the future, automakers wouldn't have to add heavy battery packs that increase vehicle weight and also reduces efficiency. Guyton remarked that the latest batch of heavy electric trucks - some of which exceed 9,000 lbs - is not sustainable.
Across the pond, Mazda Europe CEO Martijn ten Brink has spoken out against the 2035 ICE ban. While he is not against the concept of electric vehicles, he said forcing engineers and automakers to adopt battery technology will kill ingenuity.
"What I find a shame is that we have made a choice for technology, and usually the most innovation comes when you set a goal but you don't tell engineers and developers how to get there," he said at the time.
Despite his personal beliefs, ten Brink says Mazda will be ready for any legislation and offer appropriate vehicles. This means the Hiroshima-based brand will have to get cracking, as rivals are already establishing their position in the EV segment.
Mazda is also looking to forge partnerships in the electric vehicle charging arena. It won't be as impactful as Tesla's global Supercharger network, but there are plans to further the brand's position in this field.
Guyton hopes that third-party charging companies, like ChargePoint, and EVgo, will work together to create a better user experience for all EV drivers. "As a society, we have a finite amount of resources to do this," he added.
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