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Honda has unveiled the design of the Prologue, its first electric SUV and a vehicle codeveloped with General Motors.

Like most of its Japanese peers in the auto industry, Honda has been a laggard when it comes to all-electric vehicles.

The automaker focused too much on hydrogen fuel cells and hybrids, which resulted in a very small offering of all-electric models and virtually nothing in North America.

Since Honda stopped production of the Clarity Electric in 2019, the automaker had no all-electric vehicle in the US.

For years now, Honda has been teasing its first new EV, the Prologue, codeveloped with GM.

Today, Honda finally fully unveiled the design of the Prologue:

Honda today offered the first look at the exterior and interior styling of the all-new Honda Prologue battery-electric SUV that will come to market in North America in 2024. The Prologue design features clean and simple “Neo-Rugged” exterior and interior styling and ample interior space that’s ready for adventure inside and outside the city limits.

Here’s the exterior design of the Honda Prologue:

Here’s the interior design of the Honda Prologue electric SUV:

Honda did release some more details about the design in a press release, including the fact that it’s going to be bigger than its popular CR-V:

Prologue was conceived as a modern and fresh design that will feel at home in the showroom with existing Honda SUVs. Prologue’s generous dimensions and roomy interior position the SUV alongside the Passport in Honda’s light truck lineup. Prologue will have a wheelbase of 121.8-inches, and is about 8-inches longer and 5-inches wider than the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V.

The Prologue will have a generous interior, which will provide ample space for passengers and cargo. Showcasing a tech-rich cabin, the Prologue will have a standard fully digital 11-inch driver display panel and an 11.3-inch audio/connectivity display.

Here are the dimensions of the Prologue:

Exterior Measurements Inches
Wheelbase 121.8
Length 192.0
Width 78.3
Height 64.7
Wheel Diameter 21

Unfortunately, Honda didn’t release the specs of the Prologue, though it is expected to be something similar to the Chevy Blazer EV since Honda is using GM’s Ultium EV platform.

There’s still plenty of time for that information to come out since the electric SUV is not scheduled to hit the market until 2024.

Electrek’s Take

It looks sharp. It’s not a bad-looking SUV.

However, I think Honda is flirting with bankruptcy with its EV plan.

The automaker released this timeline for its electric vehicles in North America:

  • 2024: Begin sales of the Honda Prologue, co-developed with GM
  • 2026: Begin sales of Honda models based on Honda e:Architecture to be produced by Honda in North America. 
  • 2027: Begin sales of a new series of affordable EVs codeveloped with GM, also produced by Honda in North America.

Nothing until 2024 – and that’s something using GM’s technology – and then its own EV built from the ground up won’t come until 2026.

To me, that sounds like too little too late, and they are basically giving up on the North American market. By 2026, I don’t think there’s going to be anyone in their right mind that would buy anything else than an all-electric vehicle if they are in the market for a new car.

It doesn’t sound like Honda is going to be ready for that.

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US average new car price tops $50k for the first time – here’s why

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US average new car price tops k for the first time – here's why

The average US new car price crossed the $50,000 mark for the first time in September, according to new estimates from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Prices have been climbing steadily for over a year, and the pace picked up this summer – but that hasn’t stopped Americans from buying.

KBB says September’s record average transaction price (ATP) was partly driven by luxury models and EVs, which pushed the market into record territory. EVs made up an estimated 11.6% of all new vehicles sold last month, which is also a record high. The average EV sold for $58,124 – up 3.5% from August’s adjusted figure.

In Q3, EV sales hit another milestone: 437,487 EVs were sold in the US, giving them a 10.5% market share. That’s nearly a 30% jump from the same period last year. With government-backed EV incentives expiring at the end of September, many buyers hurried to lock in their purchases.

Year-over-year, the average EV transaction price is basically flat, down just 0.4%. Incentives averaged 15.3% of ATP in September, or about $8,900 per vehicle – slightly lower than August but higher than a year ago, when incentives averaged 13%.

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Tesla, which continues to dominate the EV market, saw an average ATP of $54,138 in September. That’s a slight dip from August and down 6.8% from a year earlier. With Tesla recently introducing the new Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, KBB expects average prices across the segment to fall in the coming months. Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, thinks the market is “ripe for disruption.”

“It is important to remember that the new-vehicle market is inflationary. Prices go up over time, and today’s market is certainly reminding us of that,” said Keating. “The $20,000 vehicle is now mostly extinct, and many price-conscious buyers are sidelined or cruising in the used-vehicle market. Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory.”

Read more: US EV sales smash records in August as Tesla loses ground


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Genesis is about to launch two new ‘electrified’ SUVs based on the GV70

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Genesis is about to launch two new 'electrified' SUVs based on the GV70

It’s official. The Genesis GV70 is about to get two new electrified options, including its first hybrid and extended-range (EREV) versions.

Two new Genesis GV70 electrified SUVs are coming soon

Genesis is turning 10, and it’s planning to go all out. Hyundai gave us a look at what’s coming last month during its CEO Investor Day.

The plans include Genesis expanding with new electrified powertrain offerings, including its first hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles.

Up until now, the luxury automaker has focused on fully electric (EV) or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By expanding into different electrified powertrains, Genesis hopes to attract new buyers to the brand while grabbing a bigger share of the luxury market.

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Genesis will launch its first hybrid in 2026, the GV80. We knew the GV70 EREV would follow shortly after, but now it’s been confirmed that a hybrid model is also set to join the lineup.

We got our first look at the Genesis GV70 EREV last week. The vehicle was parked in South Korea and appeared to be nearly identical to the current model. Aside from a tag labeling it an EREV and a massive muffler at the back, it looks about the same as the Electrified GV70.

Now, we are finally getting a glimpse of the Hybrid version. The Genesis GV70 Hybrid was also caught by HealerTV in South Korea, this time with an HEV tag.

Like the EREV, the GV70 Hybrid is still covered in camouflage, but this time, you can see the vehicle has the brand’s sport package. The optional package adds sporty exterior and interior elements, including chrome around the Crest Grille and window trim.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
The Genesis Electrified GV70 (Source: Genesis)

The vehicle is still a prototype, so it could change by the time it reaches production form. However, as the reporter points out, the GV70 Hybrid could bring a unique new look to the GV70 series.

On the side of the tire, the letters “FL” are printed, which is typically shown on Hyundai vehicles set to receive a facelift.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
Genesis plans to launch new luxury EVs, hybrids, and EREVs (Source: Hyundai)

Genesis is expected to launch the GV70 EREV in late 2026, followed by the Hybrid version sometime in early 2027.

According to Hyundai, the EREV will have a combined driving range of over 1,000 km (620 miles). Although it still runs on an electric motor, it will feature a small gas motor that acts as a generator to charge the battery and extend the driving range.

Genesis is betting on new electrified vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and EREVs, to drive growth. The luxury brand aims to expand into up to 20 new European markets while gaining a bigger share of the US market. By 2030, Genesis aims to sell 350,000 vehicles.

Although it had planned to only offer fully electric vehicles from 2030, Genesis backed off on its commitment. Instead, it will use hybrids and EREVs as a bridge to an all-electric future.

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Duracell’s first-ever EV fast charger network will be in the UK

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Duracell's first-ever EV fast charger network will be in the UK

Duracell, the iconic US battery brand that started in the 1920s, is crossing the Atlantic to launch its first-ever EV fast charging network, Duracell E-Charge, in the UK.

Sales of gas and diesel cars will end by 2030 in the UK, which is driving EV sales and charging infrastructure growth. With more than £200 million ($266 million) in planned investment over the next decade, Duracell E-Charge is getting on the bandwagon with an aim to improve the fast charging experience.

Duracell has licensed its new network to Elektra Charge, a charge point operator set up to run the Duracell E-Charge network. The EV Network (EVN), one of the UK’s top charging infrastructure developers, will fund and build the charging hubs.

“The need for faster, more reliable charging to keep pace with EV adoption is clear,” said Reza Shaybani, CEO of The EV Network. “Duracell E-Charge is a direct response to that challenge.”

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Duracell’s EV fast charging network will feature 400 kW ultra-fast chargers where drivers can pay via app, contactless, or plug-and-go. Each site will have intuitive interfaces, clear signage, and 24/7 support.

The first six Duracell E-Charge sites will come online in 2025. The Sunday Times reported that Duracell plans to grow its charging network to at least 100 charging stations with at least 500 charging points by 2030. The hubs will be strategically located along major motorways, near retail and hospitality venues, and at key city gateways.

“Charging your car should be as simple as changing the batteries in your remote,” said Mark Bloxham, managing director of Duracell E-Charge. “Plug. Play. Go.”

Electrek’s Take

I asked Duracell whether it had plans to launch Duracell E-Charge in the US, and I’ll update this story if I hear back. But if you want to know why this American legacy company launched its first DC fast charging network in the UK instead of the US, it’s a simple answer. Business-friendly, stable government policy.

Read more: InstaVolt is using GPS tracking to catch thieves stealing its EV charging cables


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