Mazda’s BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 rival firming for Australia: 2026 Mazda 6e could be confirmed for local launch within months

Mazda hasn’t offered an electric vehicle (EV) in Australia since 2023 but that could all change soon if everything goes to plan for the Japanese carmaker.

Speaking with CarsGuide, Mazda Australia Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi said the company is looking at introducing the Mazda 6e electric sedan and a decision could be made within the next few months.

“We are putting a business case together for Mazda 6e at this stage because that is available in a right-hand drive version globally,” said Bhindi.

“Now, whether the SUV version [called the EZ-60 in China] is available in right-hand drive outside of China is a decision yet to be made by Mazda Corporation.

“So we’re building a business case. We are looking at our options there and we should be in a position to make a decision on that within months.”

The Mazda 6e launched in Europe earlier this year and is arriving in the UK in 2026 as a global version of the Mazda EZ-6 which launched in China in 2024.

This electric sedan was co-developed with Mazda’s long-term manufacturing partner, Chinese carmaker Changan, and shares its underpinnings with the Deepal S07.

In Europe, the Mazda 6e is powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 180kW or 190kW, depending on the battery, and 320Nm of torque.

The electric motor is fed by a choice of two battery packs – a 68.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) unit which offers up to 479km of WLTP range and can charge at rates up to 165kW, and a 80kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery with 552km of WLTP range and can charge at rates up to 90kW.

If the Mazda 6e launches locally it will form as an indirect successor to the Mazda 6 combustion sedan and wagon that was axed locally after three generations earlier in 2025.

As Bhindi noted, the Mazda EZ-60, which is the SUV version of the EZ-6/6e, still hasn’t been confirmed for markets outside of China. It’s expected, however, to adopt the name CX-5e in international markets.

This follows a trademark filing for the name CX-5e being filed by Mazda in Australia in March, 2025. It was accepted earlier in August.

Although there are range-extender versions of both the Mazda EZ-6 and EZ-60 in China, it appears Mazda Australia is only considering the electric versions.