Compared to other automakers, Mazda was late to the EV party. Its first fully electric model didn't arrive until 2019 with the launch of the MX-30. US customers have had to wait even longer, as Mazda didn't reveal the American version until last week.

At the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, Mazda has expanded its EV lineup with the unveiling of its second fully electric model: an electric version of the popular CX-30 SUV. Not a lot of information has been revealed about the CX-30 EV: all we know is that it will go on sale exclusively in China in the second half of 2021.

In the US, the CX-30 is available with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine developing 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque or a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 250 hp and 320 lb-ft. No powertrain details have been released for the CX-30 EV, but there's a good chance it shares the same setup as its larger MX-30 sibling.

The MX-30 has a front-wheel-drive electric motor that is powered by a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. This setup generates 144 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. For the first time since the RX-8, the MX-30 is also available with Mazda's Wankel rotary engine, which acts as a range extender.

On a single charge, the range extender will enable the MX-30 to last around 250 miles, while the standard EV has a WLTP-rated range of 124 miles, which falls short of its competitors like the Hyundai Kona EV. In the US, we're expecting the EPA rating to be even lower, so it's possible it will have less than 100 miles of range.

Visually, the CX-30 EV is taller than its combustion-powered counterpart to accommodate the battery and features flared wheel arches and roof rails for a more rugged appearance. Hopefully, Mazda will release more official details about the CX-30 EV soon.