Martyn Collins puts the electric Mazda’s range to the test.

Our long-term Mazda MX-30

P11d (BiK): £29,845 (0%) Test Range/MPkWh: 93/2.9MPkWh

Month two with the all-electric Mazda, and I’m pleased to report the miles are rising, although not as quickly as I’d like.

It’s not down to the way the MX-30 drives, as recent time spent in the new, all-electric Fiat 500 Electric and updated Mini Cooper SE has proved. This Mazda has better steering than the Fiat and is almost the equal of the Mini. Although as an all-rounder, the Mini is more fun.

No, the biggest issue is still the lack of range. The return of warmer weather has seen a full charge break the magic 100-mile barrier, which is fine for local driving, and I’ve been making full use of free charge stations – when I can find them! But this makes longer trips far more complicated, and I find the UK’s charging network still a bit hit and miss – all of which is at odds with this Mazda’s relaxed character.

Inside, the premium feel of the Mazda’s interior continues to impress, although the initial novelty of the suicide-style rear doors has definitely worn off with my kids. They’re no longer fans of the odd opening door procedure, nor the fact the rear windows are sealed – especially in the recent heatwave!

Outside, I have no regrets that I chose optional Soul Chrystal Red paint – it looks stunning on the MX-30’s attractive but quirky fastback shape – even when not totally clean. However, the local birds seem to see this colour as target practice and sadly there are marks in the paint already. So it’s perhaps not as durable as the other colours available. The exterior plastics also attract marks that are hard to remove – not what you might expect from an almost-£30,000 car.