Mazda Australia currently offers plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains in two of its four Large Architecture-based SUVs, and it plans to offer more.
The brand has offered the P50e PHEV powertrain in the CX-60 since its local launch in 2023, following suit with the CX-80 launched in 2024. For context, the CX-80 is effectively a three-row version of the CX-60, much like the relationship between the CX-90 and CX-70.
Neither the CX-90 nor the CX-70 are currently available with PHEV tech in Australia, the addition of which would assist Mazda in meeting emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) that came into effect on January 1, 2025, with penalties to be accrued from July 1.
When asked whether Mazda Australia intended to introduce PHEV versions of the CX-70 and CX-90, the brand’s local managing director Vinesh Bhindi said “that’s the plan”.
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Mazda CX-90
“Now the FBT incentive that related to PHEVs has come off, the way the legislation for NVES is written is really the battery-electric technology that will give you credits at some stage,” he told CarExpert.
“We see a place for PHEV, and we intend to bring it in, but from an Australian point of view, it’s about where the priority should be.”
The NVES is legislation imposed to incentivise manufacturers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across their vehicle lineups. All new passenger and light commercial vehicles sold with a mass of less than 4.5 tonnes are covered under the scheme.
The carbon dioxide limit (in grams per kilometre) will be reduced every year until 2029, and currently sits at a fleet-wide average of 141g/km for passenger cars and 210g/km for heavy-duty SUVs and light commercial vehicles. As it stands, the CX-90 produces 143g/km in D50e diesel guise, and 189g/km with the G50e petrol engine.
For context, Mazda claims a top-spec CX-80 P50e PHEV produces just 64g/km, while a diesel BT-50 ute produces 207g/km.
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Mazda CX-70
The CX-70 and CX-90 PHEVs offered in North America use a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 141kW of power and 260Nm of torque, mated with a 129kW/270Nm electric motor and 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery for total outputs of 241kW and 500Nm.
“That technology is available, it’s offered in the US market, but they do have to do more homologation and engineering work to make it available to us,” Mr Bhindi told CarExpert.
“It’s on the list of priorities.”
PHEV versions of its largest vehicles will soon be necessary for Mazda Australia to avoid the NVES penalty of $100 for every gram of carbon dioxide over the limit, especially as it currently has no pure electric vehicles (EVs) on sale here.
The brand does have a handful of EVs overseas, including the 6e electric liftback developed with Chinese joint venture partner Changan.
Mazda Australia has confirmed it’s working on a business case to bring the 6e here.
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