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The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released a study on renewable energy policies for cities last month. The reason for the focus on cities is due to their ability to scale up renewables and meet emission-reduction targets. Large cities have the revenue bases, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure to support this while smaller ones usually don’t.

The study pointed out that it’s mostly cities that are raising awareness and moving towards energy transitions. Smaller and even medium-sized cities that have 1 million or fewer inhabitants usually don’t have the funding or political support to embrace renewables, and they are also not as highly visible as megacities.

The study analyzed six medium-sized cities from China, Uganda, and Costa Rica. They were chosen due to two reasons:

  1. They have effective policies in place, or
  2. They have untapped renewable energy sources that could launch their sustainable development.

A Quick Look At The Study

The study takes a dive into the challenges and successes that are seen in the deployment of renewable energy in medium-sized cities and provides case studies of the six cities studied. A quick look at the executive summary shows that these cities have a population range from 30,000 to 1 million inhabitants.

Image courtesy of IRENA.

Altogether, cities are responsible for around 70% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Urban areas have high rates of air pollution as well, with 98% of cities with over 100,000 inhabitants in low- and middle-income countries failing to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) air quality guidelines.

Renewable energy technologies (RETs) play a central role in easing the severity of climate change while providing cleaner air. Research is often focused on the urban trends of particular sets of global megacities and doesn’t really focus any attention on cities with 1 million or fewer inhabitants, which is the fastest growing category and home to some 2.4 billion people (59% of the world’s total urban population).

Cities are motivated to promote renewables by several factors, such as:

  • Economic development and jobs.
  • Social equity.
  • Governance.
  • Air quality.
  • Secure and affordable energy.
  • Such as access to clean energy.
  • Climate stability.
  • Energy-related policymaking requires a lot of flexibility — it involves governance structures and processes as well as the diverse motivations of many stakeholders.

Image courtesy of IRENA.

Cities’ plans need to be tailored to their own circumstances, and some factors shaping city energy profiles include:

  • Demographic trends.
  • Climate zone.
  • Ownership of energy assets.
  • Settlement density.
  • Regulatory authority.
  • Institutional capacity.
  • Economic structure and wealth.

Image courtesy of IRENA.

Case Studies 1 & 2: Chongli District and Tongli Town

The two cities in this section are Chongli District and Tongli Town. In the cases of these two Chinese cities, the study found that both benefit from the availability of large-scale renewable energy projects, with wind and solar being the best options. It has a level of existing deployment which provides a solid base for the cities’ ambitious targets compared to other cities where renewables aren’t as present.

The Chinese cities benefit from the availability of financial resources that target renewable energy deployment. Tongli Town receives support from its upper-level administration, which has one of the largest revenue streams among Chinese city governments.

Tongli Town is one of the most replicable in developed cities that resemble Suzhou. Although Zhangjiakou City isn’t as wealthy as Suzhou, the Chongli District was able to receive financial support from the national government as a result of the Winter Olympics.

Its example shows that distributed renewables could also play a large role in cities. PV generation systems could be deployed outside of highly populated city centers, for example. Tongli Town also benefits from the relationship between local governments and local manufacturing industries that deploy RETs.

Showcase events such as the Winter Olympics also help a city gain visibility — this is what happened with the Chongli District. It and the Zhangjiakou Municipality linked the development targets of local renewables with the hosting arrangements of the Winter Olympics. This focused political attention and financial support on renewable energy projects.

Cross-governmental collaboration and existing manufacturing industries benefitting from renewable deployment also played key roles.

Case Studies 3 & 4: Kasese and Lugazi

This case study focused on the Ugandan cities of Kasese and Lugazi. Uganda has a variety of energy resources that includes hydropower, biomass, solar, geothermal, peat, and fossil fuels. Yet only 20% of the population has access to electricity. The World Bank estimated in 2017 that only 2% of the nation’s population has access to clean cooking fuels and technologies.

In Uganda, renewable energy deployment benefits the local communities in many ways while boosting socio-economic goals. In both Lugazi and Kasese, solar street lighting and solar home systems (SHSs) massively saved both municipalities and households while extending business hours for street sellers. It’s also improved public safety and telecommunications, which led to the creation of job opportunities.

Ugandan cities face obstacles to greater local deployment. Institutional constraints, such as narrow political mandates and tight municipal finances, present huge obstacles to effective policy action. Scaling up projects will need greater funding as well as capacity building. This requires a national enabling framework that supports the local government at the district and municipal levels. Kasese and Lugazi have benefited from initiatives targeting sustainable energy at the district level.

Financial resources for both district and municipal governments are needed. Renewables may offer savings in the long run, but the upfront costs usually surpass the funds available to Uganda’s municipalities and districts. For now, initiatives such as solar street lighting are usually linked to third-party financing support. An example of this is the World Bank’s Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Programme.

Case Studies 5 & 6: Cartago and Grecia, and Guanacaste

Costa Rica has a population of around 5 million people and is the smallest of the three countries that were studied in the report. Some key questions discussed in the country include what role is played by the public and private sectors and what degree to which electricity generation should be based on centralized and decentralized sources. Some of the key issues and challenges that shape the nation’s efforts to promote the use of renewable energy include:

  • Mandates.
  • Strengthening cities’ ability to act with a diverse set of actors.
  • Transport as the next frontier.

For cities without the mandate, their scopes of action are limited and this is one of the main obstacles to a sustainable urban future. In the case of Cartago and Grecia, the cities have taken active measures to promote green policies in the transport and tourism sectors. Costa Rica’s “capital of renewable energy,” Guanacaste, has hosted several projects in the fields of wind, solar, and geothermal energy.

Another key lesson from the study in the case of Costa Rica is that when the share of renewables in the electricity mix is already high, transport becomes the next frontier. Compared to Columbia, Panama, and Chile, Costa Rica has a lack of municipal transport. The other countries are advancing with electric buses and other electric-mobility projects and these contrast with Costa Rica.

You can read the full 158-page report here.


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Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Subaru, and Kia EV sales climb in January

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Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Subaru, and Kia EV sales climb in January

Several automakers, including Honda, Hyundai, Ford, and Kia, reported higher EV sales in the US in January. Here’s a look at some of the top-selling EV models (outside of Tesla) last month.

EV sales in the US by model in January 2025

With nearly 133,000 electric vehicles sold in December, EVs accounted for 8.8% of new car sales in the US, a new record.

According to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book, the strong end-of-year sales helped push total EV sales to 1.3 million in 2024, up 7.3% from 2024.

With Trump reportedly planning to end electric vehicle incentives, like the $7,500 federal tax credit, demand is expected to pick up as buyers look to lock in the savings before they disappear.

Several automakers reported US sales numbers for January, giving us a better idea of how the EV market is playing out.

Ford sold 5,666 EVs last month, up 21% and a new January record. The Mustang Mach-E had its best January with 3,529 models sold, up 173% from January 2024. Last year, the Mach-E was the second best-selling electric SUV behind Tesla’s Model Y. This year, it’s already losing ground.

EV-sales-January
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)

Despite higher demand for the Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning sales slipped 15% to 1,907 units. Ford’s E-Transit electric van sales also fell 80%, with only 230 models sold last month.

Kia sold 1,542 EV6 models sold last month. However, sales of its three-row EV9 were down slightly (1,232 vs 1,408 in January 2023).

EV-sales-January
2025 Kia EV6 US-spec model (Source: Kia)

Sister company Hyundai notched double-digit sales growth with its popular EV models. As the upgraded 2025 model (with more range and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers) rolled out, Hyundai IONIQ 5 sales climbed 54%, with 2,250 units sold in January. Although IONIQ 6 sales were up 15% year over year (YOY), only 871 models were sold.

EV model January 2025 sales
Honda Prologue 3,744
Ford Mustang Mach-E 3,529
Hyundai IONIQ 5 2,250
Ford F-150 Lightning 1,907
Kia EV6 1,542
Kia EV9 1,232
Subaru Solterra 1,052
Hyundai IONIQ 6 871
US electric vehicle sales by model in January 2025

The biggest surprise, again, was Honda. Honda’s electric Prologue continued to take the US by storm with another 3,744 models sold last month.

After delivering the first models last March, the Prologue was the seventh best-selling EV in the US in 2024. Honda sold over 33,000 Prologue’s in the US in 2024, beating out the Chevy Equinox EV (28,874) and Rivian R1S (26,934).

EV-sales-January
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

GM doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, so we’ll have to wait until April for quarterly sales to compare. Several others have yet to report January US sales. Check back for the latest numbers.

Tesla doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, but earlier today, Electrek reported that the EV maker saw its first annual drop in sales in California last year.

Are you in the market for a new electric vehicle? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on some of the most popular EVs in your area.

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Genesis GV90 spotted looking like the ultimate ultra-luxury EV [Video]

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Genesis GV90 spotted looking like the ultimate ultra-luxury EV [Video]

Genesis is preparing to launch its largest, most luxurious electric SUV yet. The Genesis GV90 EV was spotted for the first time in South Korea, revealing its ultra-luxury design.

Genesis GV90 spotted as a new ultra-luxury EV

Although we actually got our first look at the Genesis GV90 last week after it was spotted on a carrier, the latest sighting gives us a much closer look, with a view from nearly every angle.

Genesis previewed the full-size electric SUV with the Neolun concept last March. The concept featured an impressive “reductive” design, with the signature Genesis two-tone headlamps and Crest grille displayed upfront.

With premium features, including coach doors, the GV90 is expected to compete with ultra-luxury brands like Rolls Royce and Bentley.

The GV90 will serve as a “tech beacon” for Hyundai and its luxury Genesis brand as it scales up. Inside, you can expect to see Hyundai Motor’s latest OS and connectivity tech. Like the Hyundai IONIQ 9, the GV90 is expected to include dual 12.3″ clusters and infotainment screens in a panoramic curved display, but the Genesis model will be over the top.

Genesis-GV90-EV-spotted
Genesis Neolun electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)

A new video from HealerTV gives us a better idea of what to expect. Despite the camouflage, you can see that the GV90 maintains much of its design based on the concept.

From the back, it almost looks like the GV70 Electrified, but you can tell it’s even bigger. Genesis kept other design elements, like the connected rear lights and bumper design, shown in the concept.

Genesis GV90 ultra-luxury EV spotted for the first time (Source: HealerTV)

The side view shows slight changes from the concept, including the turn signals on the fender. Despite a slightly more “rounded” profile, much of the design remains the same. The two-line daytime running lights and other design elements are pulled from the concept.

Genesis is expected to unveil the GV90 later this year, with mass production set to begin in early 2026. It’s expected to be available in two trims: Standard or Exclusive.

Genesis-GV90-ultra-luxury-SUV
Genesis Neolum full-size electric SUV concept (Source: Hyundai Motor)

The Standard model is rumored to start at around 100 million won ($80,000), while the Exclusive trim, which will include ultra-luxury features like the coach doors from the concept, could cost upwards of 200 million won ($160,000). It’s like to be limited to just a few models.

The Genesis GV90 will be the first Hyundai Motor EV to ride on its new “eM” platform, set to replace its current E-GMP. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan EV plant in South Korea.

Would you buy the Premium Genesis GV90 model for around $160,000? In comparison, a 2024 Bentley Bentayga costs just over $200,000. Let us know what you think in the comments.

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KORE Power kills $1 billion Arizona EV battery factory plans

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KORE Power kills  billion Arizona EV battery factory plans

KORE Power has scrapped plans for its $1 billion lithium-ion battery factory in Buckeye, Arizona, and its CEO and founder has resigned.

Idaho-based KORE Power announced plans to sell the site in Arizona originally designated for its 2-million-square-foot KOREPlex factory.

In an emailed statement, KORE said:

The company has recently undertaken a restructuring to provide more benefit to our customers and position the company for long-term success.

Plans for the KOREPlex in Buckeye, Arizona, will not move forward at this time.

The project, which was awarded an $850 million US Department of Energy loan in June 2023, was projected to bring around 3,000 jobs to the state. It was also positioned to be the first US-owned lithium-ion battery plant in the US.

KOREPlex would have featured multiple production ‎lines to make batteries for EVs and battery storage systems. The factory would have produced nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium-ion iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells.

CEO Lindsay Gorrill also announced on LinkedIn that he is stepping down, and that president Jay Bellows is taking over as the new CEO. Gorrill will remain a member of the company’s board.

It is with great excitement that I announce Jay Bellows as the new CEO of KORE. Jay is a remarkable leader whose expertise, integrity, and dedication will undoubtedly take KORE to new heights. Having worked closely with him, I am confident in his ability to build on what we’ve achieved and lead KORE into a dynamic and successful future.


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