Mazda EV3

The Mazda EV3, introduced in 1973, was one of Japan’s earliest forays into electric mobility. It emerged from a forward-looking program launched in 1971 by the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, which allocated ¥5 million over five years to push domestic automakers toward developing electric vehicles.

By the 20th Tokyo Motor Show, the initiative had produced EV prototypes from every major Japanese manufacturer, Mazda included.

Mazda’s EV3 was a compact, cab-over electric truck aimed at urban and short-distance commercial use. Its key strength was a practical 200-kilogram (440-pound) payload capacity, making it well-suited to light delivery and utility work.

The cab-over configuration maximized usable space—an important consideration in an era when early battery packs were heavy and bulky.

Although the EV3 remained a prototype and never entered full production, it clearly showcased Mazda’s early interest in alternative propulsion and its willingness to experiment within a government-backed research framework.

Today, the Mazda EV3 stands as a small but meaningful milestone in EV history, representing early attempts to tackle energy and environmental concerns through electrification.