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Mazda MX-30

Inchcape gave me the opportunity to try out how it is to cover longer distances with a car that has a small battery capacity. We start the journey with a shorter range than in previous weeks because the Mazda MX-30 has only a 35 kWh battery, of which about 30 kWh is usable. The first impression: the battery is at 100%, and the range is 156 km, but we need to cover 500 km today! We don’t know how long this day will be!

Our first stop is still Tikupoiss. This time we need to take a longer break, so I’ve postponed breakfast to a later time. We also ponder whether we should drive on the Tartu highway at the allowed 110 km/h – it’s known that higher speeds consume more energy, and even if the goal is to test the car, we still need to stay within its capabilities. So, we drive at 95 km/h and try to stay behind a truck. However, trucks often drive at 85 km/h, which doesn’t suit our plans well.

At Tikupoiss, we plug the car into the Alexela 50 kW CCS charger and almost immediately get the promised maximum output. According to the factory, the Mazda MX-30 can charge at a maximum of 37 kW with a DC charger. The car stays to charge while we have breakfast. Breakfast takes place on the cold terrace – indoor dining is still not allowed. The cold is biting enough that our meal is short. We are drawn back to the car, thinking that 75% battery is sufficient to continue the journey. Breakfast takes a total of 32 minutes.

The rest of the drive goes more confidently. The initial fear of the small battery capacity quickly dissipates, and it’s no longer important to tailgate the trucks. When we arrive in Tartu, we have 60 km of range left and about 30% battery. We plug the car into the EnefitVolt charger at Lõunakeskus and head to LukuExpert. Since work takes a bit longer, the Mazda manages to fully charge. In 57 minutes, we have 100% battery for a cost of 4.84 euros, using 20.18 kWh of electricity. Again, the car charged at almost full power.

Even though there are no more doubts and we feel confident, we don’t go overboard and stick to the speed limits. The journey continues.

In Viljandi, we charge 15.16 kWh for 3.64 euros to reach 100% battery. This takes 43 minutes. Once again, the time spent charging is used for work and lunch, meaning no extra time is spent just on charging.

However, adventures in Viljandi abound, as the charger is blocked. On one side, there’s an “on the road to the future” i-Miev on the CHAdeMO plug, and next to it, a Ford Transit with electric work advertisements. The latter, of course, wasn’t charging. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long for the workers, and after a few gestures, we were at the charger.

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We head towards Pärnu again with a full “tank,” adhering to speed limits. As mentioned in our previous stories, there is no CCS DC charger in Pärnu. So, we decide to first find a place to charge the car and then take care of other errands. According to the app maps, the only CCS charger is the Virta charging station near Hesburger. However, upon arrival, our suspicions are confirmed – it’s not working. The issue has been discussed on the electric car forum on Facebook, and unfortunately, the charger hasn’t been fixed in a week! We agree that if there are no other options, we will plug the car into an AC charger. We need power; otherwise, we won’t make it to the capital!

I remember hearing somewhere that Pärnu Møller Auto has also installed a fast charger. And the rumors are true! At Møller’s main gate stands a new, well-functioning 150 kW dual CCS fast charger, with an Enyaq currently charging. Since there are two of us, one heads to Møller for more information while the other starts reading the instructions on the charger and testing the information line. Unfortunately, no one answers the phone, but I manage to download the app and register myself. I quickly find the correct charger on the map, but unfortunately, the plug gives an error, and we can’t start the charger through the Defa app.

Fortunately, a Møller specialist helps us connect the car to the charger and directs us to the showroom for some coffee. We hold our online meeting, then pack up, thank them for their hospitality, and head back to the car. The charging is at 99%, and it’s the right time to move on.

We successfully make it back to Tallinn, and during the entire journey, we don’t need to turn off the car’s heater even once. We still have 16% battery left, which would allow us to drive another 28 km.

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  • Everything runs smoothly, even when charging is needed at every stop.
  • We never had to wait for charging; meanwhile, there was work to do or time to spend on a quick snack.
  • Covering 500 km with a conventional engine would have involved a lot more noise and vibration.
  • Driving at 90 km/h on the highway, a distance of 150-160 km is perfectly reasonable. Occasionally, when drafting behind a truck, even 180+ km becomes achievable.
  • The total cost of the road trip with the Mazda MX30 was less than 14 euros.

As we gain experience, we’ll soon be behind the wheel of the next EV, ready to take on a similar trip around the country. We hope we were able to provide a real and honest experience and help with planning your trips with an electric car.

Huge thanks to Inchape Motors for lending us an awesome car! 🙂

If you have any questions about charging at home or on the road, Morek is here for you.