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Comment by softwaredoug | Hacker News Reader

I love my 96 Miata, and I keep saying the next car I want is an electric Miata. I can't think of a more "no-duh" car to be electric given its light weight... But maybe this explains why it hasn't happened yet.

EDIT:

TIL - next Miata generation to be electrified, sadly "by 2030"

https://www.motor1.com/news/515992/next-gen-miata-hybrid-ele...

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The expense and weight of batteries mean it makes more sense to start at the bigger, more luxurious end of the market and work down. It's also easier to sell a cheap car from a brand with a luxury image than an expensive car from a brand with a value image - hence all the halo hypercars that make a loss.

Miata is the perfect car for electrification. Most sports car drivers would be okay with 200 mile range (less batteries) in exchange for light weight. I think the most I ever put on mine in a day (NA/R) was 120 miles, when parking it for the winter.

In the UK you have to travel to Scotland or Wales for the best roads. A small range makes that a lot more difficult.

Problem is that sports car drivers don’t drive their cars with the expected EPA mpg.

My car is rated for 18/25, I barely get 16mpg and I am still on the freeway quite a bit. I’m less aggressive than I used to be when I was getting 11-12mpg.

Not for everyone – I like to take one of my motorcycles or my sports car out for drives 4-5 days a week and never drive less than 100 miles at a time, all back roads and never on the freeway. That means fueling up every time I ride my Ducati with its ridiculously small fuel tank.

there're conversions kits: https://youtu.be/VZws7kE3U5k

"Electrified" on PR != BEV

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