Even though it’s producing the MX-3, Mazda seems less than enthusiastic about electric cars. It recently said that it made the MX-3 with a relatively small 35.5 kWh battery because long-range EVs are worse for the environment than diesels — a claim that’s based on a number of questionable assumptions. As a result, the MX-3 is only expected to go up to 120 miles or so on a charge, based on EPA figures.

Mazda said that it will never offer “big-battery” electric car, and plans to offer a hybrid version of the MX-30 with a rotary engine range extender. It could be pinning most of its hopes on that vehicle, as its PR efforts around the all-electric MX-30 have not generated much enthusiasm to date.

The company determined that a 95kWh battery (close to what you’d see in Tesla’s higher-end Model S and X) would require more emissions from the very start due to both the larger pack and extended use while driving. That situation would only get worse if you replace the battery around the same interval, according to Mazda.

There’s one main problem, though: Mazda is basing its figures on European electricity generation averages from 2016. Your carbon footprint will be considerably lower if you live in an area running on zero-emissions power, or if Mazda produces batteries in similarly emissions-free conditions. Moreover, the car maker is assuming that the energy mix hasn’t changed significantly and won’t in the near future. While Mazda is clearly aware that EVs still have an impact on the planet, it appears to be designing only for the present (if not the past) instead of the future — and it might miss out on sales from people who need more range than the MX-30 can deliver.

Driving dynamics are a key feature in any Mazda and the MX-30 is no different, with “Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus” torque vectoring control that helps the car load its weight on the front going into a corner, then back to the rear as it exits. Its single electric motor is mounted up front along with other components, while its battery beneath the floor helps increase rigidity.

Despite its suicide door-opening — wonder how Elon Musk feels about that — Mazda says the frame surrounding the battery is connected to the body in 20 locations to make it diagonally rigid and reduce road noise. The battery has a refrigerant cooling system, and fast DC charging is possible using the either the CHAdeMO or COMBO standard, which will vary by region. The version we’re seeing is a European spec, but we’re still waiting for details on how much it will cost, how far it can go on a charge and when it will be available.