Mazda Australia has confirmed it will not import the range-extender versions of its new 6e sedan and CX-6e SUV, despite their availability in China. The company believes its existing lineup of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and traditional combustion models provides sufficient coverage for the Australian market.
Why Range-Extenders Are Skipped
Hiroshi Ozawa, a key program manager for Mazda’s electric vehicle development, stated that the decision aligns with the brand’s “multi-solution” strategy. Mazda already offers a wide range of powertrains, including fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids (CX-60 and CX-80), standard hybrids, and conventional petrol and diesel engines. The company sees no immediate need for EREVs, which combine an electric motor with a small combustion engine to extend driving range.
What Are Range-Extender EVs?
Extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) are designed to function primarily as EVs, with a petrol engine acting as a backup generator to charge the battery when needed. Unlike traditional hybrids, EREVs can be plugged in for charging, making them similar to plug-in hybrids but with a more pronounced electric driving experience.
Market Trends and Australia’s Position
While EREVs are gaining popularity in China—sales grew 6% in 2025 to 1.17 million units—they remain niche in Australia. The market favors fully electric vehicles (up 24.4% to 7.88 million units) and plug-in hybrids (up 8.8% to 3.4 million units). Currently, only one EREV, the Leapmotor C10, is sold in Australia.
Mazda offers two EREV models in China, based on the 6e and CX-6e, but its MX-30 R-EV is exclusive to other markets. The EREV versions feature smaller batteries (31.73kWh for the CX-6e and 18.9-28.4kWh for the 6e) paired with a 1.5-liter petrol engine. This reduces pure electric range, but Mazda claims a combined range exceeding 1300km.
Australian Launch of Battery-Electric Models
The fully electric Mazda 6e will launch in Australia in July, followed by the CX-6e in the third quarter of 2024. These models mark Mazda’s return to the EV market after discontinuing the MX-30 last year. Notably, Mazda has also ruled out bringing plug-in hybrid variants of its CX-70 and CX-90 SUVs to Australia, instead offering them only with mild-hybrid petrol or diesel engines.
Conclusion: Mazda is prioritizing battery-electric vehicles in Australia, believing its existing powertrain options cover current market demands. The company’s strategic decision reflects a broader trend toward pure EVs while acknowledging the growing but still relatively small segment of range-extender technology.
