The patent is called “Electric Vehicle” for now.
The concept of keeping weight to a minimum is still important for Mazda’s engineers.
The Mazda MX-5 is at the heart of the brand’s strategy. Since the 1990s, engineers have continuously refined the idea of offering a classic, fun, and reliable roadster. And with the current generation—the fourth, also known as the ND—on the market since 2016, rumors about the next model are bound to intensify in the coming months.
Mazda’s patent drawings for the battery’s placement in a full electric roadster | Photo : USPTOHowever, it’s a patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that’s drawing attention these days. Titled simply “Electric Vehicle,” the patent includes technical drawings that confirm the iconic 50:50 weight distribution between the axles remains a core principle of the roadster. And with a name like that, there’s little doubt left—the electric Mazda MX-5 is indeed in development.
Mazda’s patent drawings for the battery’s placement in a full electric roadster | Photo : USPTOAs one might expect with a compact vehicle like the MX-5, battery placement poses a challenge. But according to the diagrams submitted with the U.S. patent, most of the batteries are housed in the transmission tunnel between the two occupants. Additional cells are located behind the passenger seat. More notably, Mazda’s engineers have devised a clever solution to compensate for the driver’s weight: a movable battery pack mounted on a rail. This system makes it easier to maintain weight balance during solo drives.
Mazda’s patent drawings for the battery’s placement in a full electric roadster | Photo : USPTOAccording to the patent, this mobile battery pack would even be supported by a battery relocation mechanism featuring a position detection sensor. In other words, the optimal position of this movable battery wouldn’t be estimated by the driver but calculated and adjusted automatically by the vehicle.
Don’t rush to Mazda’s official website to pre-order your electric MX-5 just yet—the automaker appears to be holding off until lighter battery technology becomes available. That’s great news for die-hard roadster fans, as the engineers remain faithful to their original mission: to offer a light and fun-to-drive roadster.
