Mazda has confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 Miata will are available in 2026 and shall be “electrified.” Although the automaker stopped in need of saying what stage of electrification that can entail – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electrical.

The affirmation is gentle on particulars, although Mazda mentioned it will work with Rohm Semiconductor to develop electrical motors and with Envision AESC for batteries.

Again in 2019, we reported that Mazda was contemplating electrifying the subsequent Miata. At the moment, it wasn’t clear whether or not it was speaking about totally electrical or hybrid – and with this information, it nonetheless isn’t. However we suspect that it’ll in all probability be a standard or plug-in hybrid, moderately than totally electrical.

Mazda’s branding and R&D chiefs on the time said that the automotive and model wanted to shift in the direction of being extra eco-friendly, however that the principle objective of the MX-5 is to stay light-weight, which is a problem with the load of electrical automotive batteries.

Since then, Mazda has said that the Miata would finally be electrified, however now we’ve obtained a date: 2026 mannequin yr, which implies the automotive will doubtless be on the street in mid-2025.

The Miata is an exceptionally light-weight automotive – the 2023 MX-5 mannequin has a curb weight of round 2,400lbs. For comparability to some gentle EVs, the unique Tesla Roadster, which employed costly and light-weight carbon fiber extensively, weighed ~2,800lbs, and the same Caterham Venture V idea will weigh ~2,600.

Not solely that, however the Miata is an inexpensive automotive, not only a light-weight one. Each of the aforementioned EVs are priced within the six determine vary, whereas the MX-5 begins for below $30k.

However there are different lower-priced light-weight EVs, like the three,000lb Mini Cooper SE at $30k and the defunct 2,900lb BMW i3 which first began at $42k.

So there may be actually a problem right here, but it surely’s not unachievable, particularly as EV batteries proceed to enhance in power density. With trendy batteries, a shorter-range, light-weight Miata may very well be doable.

However regardless, given Mazda’s historical past with electrification, we suspect this shall be a hybrid mannequin moderately than totally electrical.

Mazda has been one of many slowest within the trade to undertake EV expertise. Japanese automakers typically have been laggards on EV tech, and Mazda has the least-ambitious 2030 EV objective within the US. Its first EV, the MX-30, was not an excellent effort, and solely bought 505 automobiles in its preliminary run (it got here again this yr, however has solely bought 66 models).

Then again, Mazda has claimed it desires to promote solely EVs and hybrids by 2030, and extra not too long ago, Mazda did pull again the curtain on its EV plans and confirmed a really cool “Imaginative and prescient research” idea, a smooth, low, two-door roadster which seemed prefer it may very well be the evolution of the Miata:

Whereas that idea is gentle on particulars, it clearly seems quite a bit like a Miata, and was launched alongside a dialogue on Mazda’s EV plans, so most thought that it will flip into some kind of electrified Miata.

As for the MX-30, one purpose it wasn’t nice is as a result of its clear that the automotive was designed to be a PHEV, and solely made into an EV for compliance with California’s emissions guidelines. The MX-30 finally got here out as a PHEV abroad, and it would really be fairly good as a PHEV.

Whereas hybrids and PHEVs are extra advanced than EVs – stuffing two powertrains right into a automotive as a substitute of 1 – the discount in battery weight can lead to decrease general weight for the automobile however nonetheless give a number of the advantages of electrification, like partial zero-emission operation (within the case of a PHEV) and faster acceleration from electrical motors (for each hybrids and PHEVs).

So having an electrical motor onboard in any type will certainly assist the Miata’s well-known enjoyable issue, which has all the time been a little bit bit held again by its small 2L 4-cylinder engine.

Electrek’s Take

Longtime readers could know that any time Mazda comes up, there’s precisely one factor that we at Electrek wish to hear: that the Miata goes electrical. It comes up each time anybody talks about Mazda in our newsroom. And we get lots of feedback right here saying the identical.

So clearly, this comes as nice information to us. We’ve been begging for it for years, and it’s lastly right here (properly… in 2026).

Nevertheless, Mazda is being cagey right here by utilizing the phrase “electrified.” This can be a little bit of a weasel phrase within the automotive trade, to make automaker electrical automotive efforts look extra superior than they’re. PHEVs don’t really decrease emissions as a lot as they declare, as we’ve seen in a number of research, and standard hybrids nonetheless get 100% of their power from gasoline, and thus don’t actually help a complete lot in getting us off of fossil fuels, which is required within the face of local weather change.

We’re certain {that a} hybrid Miata shall be extra enjoyable than a gasoline model, so long as Mazda doesn’t deliberately sluggish it right down to really feel extra like a gasoline automotive… because it did with the MX-30.

However we’re additionally certain {that a} correct all-electric Miata can be much more enjoyable than the hybrid, and less complicated too as a result of it doesn’t have to suit two powertrains into the identical automotive.

Whereas weight is actually a priority, and so is price, these each will be solved by utilizing a smaller battery. As a lot because the market appears to suppose it wants huge vary numbers on each automotive, the Miata isn’t a automotive you’re going to take the household on a roadtrip in anyway, and quick charging can be adequate to permit individuals to get out and stretch their legs each now and again.

As a Tesla Roadster proprietor myself (I actually like small automobiles), individuals usually ask if I want the automotive had extra vary, or Supercharging functionality, and my reply is: the automotive is so tiny that I wouldn’t take it on a roadtrip anyway, and albeit, I’d moderately have a lighter battery than extra vary.

So Mazda might make use of this feature – a smaller, cheaper, lighter battery, mounted low within the automotive, with an engine within the rear (and thus no driveshaft tunnel, saving weight and complexity and inside house).

It in all probability received’t be 2,400lbs, and it in all probability received’t be $30,000 (at the least within the manufacturing numbers Mazda would doubtless goal), however I’ve religion that Mazda might get within the ballpark of these two numbers, whereas providing a completely distinctive and improved driving expertise from the basic Miatas.

I received’t maintain my breath, trigger I nonetheless doubt we’ll see it, however I’d like to be stunned.