A new performance high-performance model from Kia is set to take over the streets of the UK. If you liked the Kia Stinger GT sports saloon, then you will love its electric replacement, the Kia EV6 GT, the South Korean automaker’s most powerful production car to date.
According to a report from Autocar, the Kia Stinger GT will no longer be available for UK customers after a short five-year run.
Although Kia’s Stinger was never meant to be a top seller in the UK market, its launch was “a transformative moment” for Kia, according to Kia UK CEO Paul Philpott.
Meanwhile, as Kia undergoes a full-scale transformation toward electric vehicles, the automaker plans to solidify its position as a leading EV maker. Part of this plan is to carry the GT line into the future of zero-emission high-performance travel.
In August, Kia unveiled its fastest production vehicle, the fully electric EV6 GT. Although Kia and fast are not often associated, the high-performance EV model beat a Ferrari and Lamborghini in a race. According to the release:
In independent testing performed by leading third party AMCI, the EV6 GT out-accelerated a Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder RWD.
Kia’s EV6 can compete with the best with 576 hp, 0 to 60 mph capabilities in 3.4 seconds, and top speeds of 161 mph. It’s powered by a 77.4 kWh battery, a 160 kW front motor, and a 270 kW rear motor. For superior performance, Kia includes “drift mode,” which distributes power to the rear wheels.
In a sign of the changing times, the Kia EV6 GT performance car is now set to “take the baton” from its flagship Stinger in the UK as the auto industry transitions to electric.
Kia says goodbye to Stinger and hello to EV6 GT
Autocar notes Kia’s electric EV6 is set to reach customers in the UK in the final stretch of 2022. Although the article mentions it’s not a “direct replacement,” Kia says its EV6 is the perfect car to “take the baton” from the Stinger.
Kia’s UK boss Paul Philpott adds:
Our future product plan has a major focus on electrification, and globally Kia plans to offer a line-up of 14 EVs by 2027. Combining high-performance capabilities with an incredible design and a long-range electric powertrain, the EV6 GT is an important part of this plan and a true new flagship for the Kia brand.
While the Stinger was capable of 0 to 60 mph time in 4.7 seconds with 300 hp, the fully electric EV cranks up the performance with AWD, 0 to 60 capabilities of 3.4 seconds, and 576 hp.
Head of design at Kia, Karim Habib, comments on the Stingers electric successor, saying:
The spirit of Stinger remains and will remain. I like to think that the EV6 has the genes of the GT. We’re doing to do a GT of that, and it has the Stinger in it.
Electrek’s Take
This is not the first (or the last) time that we will see an electric vehicle replace an iconic gas-powered model. Ford has already started upgrading consumer favorite models, such as the Mustang and F-150 trucks, into pure EVs.
In fact, Ford announced in late October it would be dropping the popular Ford Fiesta model to focus on accelerating its electric vehicle rollout.
Expect to see more of this as the auto industry and nations around the world transition to zero-emission electric vehicles.
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Leading electric vehicle analyst, author, and industry thought leaders Loren McDonald and Bill Ferro stop by Quick Charge to discuss EV Adoption’s acquisition by Paren, the “crisis” of EV charging reliability, and the real state of the EV market.
Depending on who you listen, EVs are either driving brands to record growth and are about cross that critical 10% of the overall market nationwide, or the future is bleak, the market is down, and EVs just aren’t selling. What’s really going on? Loren and Bill (probably) have some answers.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Click here to learn more.
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Chevy EV owners in Texas who have Reliant as their electric utility can now charge for free at night with renewable energy.
Over 150 Chevrolet dealerships across Texas are now offering the Reliant Free Charge Nights plan to new EV buyers. With Free Charge Nights, customers can offset their charging costs by receiving credits for electricity used between 11 pm and 6 am. The plan is powered entirely by renewable energy, thanks to the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Rasesh Patel, president of NRG Consumer, says the plan is about making power personal: “We’re excited to help Chevrolet EV drivers offset the cost of charging their vehicle all while having access to a renewable electricity plan.”
This collaboration aims to make EV adoption more appealing by making charging cheaper and greener. GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, Aseem Kapur, emphasized that partnerships like this help build the ecosystem needed to support an all-electric future: “The Reliant Free Charge Nights plan is a great example of how an automaker and an energy company can work together to make EV adoption an easy decision.”
Existing Reliant customers can also sign up for the Free Charge Nights plan. To get started, Chevrolet EV owners need to designate their vehicle on the GM Energy Smart Charging Portal before enrolling in the plan.
Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, serves over 1.5 million customers in Texas, making it one of the largest electricity providers in the state.
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Texas is about to get a major power boost – a new AI-powered virtual power plant (VPP) delivering capacity equivalent to 200,000 homes during peak demand.
NRG Energy is teaming up with Renew Home to bring nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity to the Texas grid by 2035, aiming to make it more resilient while helping residents save on energy costs.
The new VPP will rely on hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats and other connected home devices, making use of AI technology provided by Google Cloud. These devices, like Vivint and Nest smart thermostats, will be offered to eligible customers at no cost. By automating HVAC adjustments, they help shift energy use to when electricity is cheaper, cleaner, and less strained.
NRG and Renew Home have big plans for the VPP. Starting in spring 2025, the companies plan to roll out the program across Texas, installing these smart thermostats in homes served by NRG’s retail electricity providers. Eventually, they plan to add home battery storage and EVs to expand the power plant’s capabilities.
Texas has faced record-breaking energy demands, with peak usage hitting 85 GW in 2023. As the state’s population grows and extreme weather becomes more frequent, VPPs like this one could play a key role in stabilizing the grid. VPPs aggregate a lot of small-scale energy resources, from smart thermostats to home batteries, and use them to help balance supply and demand during times of high stress on the grid.
This nearly 1 GW VPP will be one of the largest of its kind in Texas. NRG’s president of consumer operations, Rasesh Patel, calls it a “pivotal step” for improving customer experience while making Texas’ energy infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
In addition to Renew Home, NRG is working with Google Cloud to maximize the power plant’s effectiveness. Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools will help predict weather conditions, forecast renewable generation, and optimize energy usage, all of which will help make energy management smoother for both customers and the grid.
Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home, said:
NRG’s commitment to creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future while also making electricity bills more affordable makes them an ideal partner for co-developing this unique VPP program.
This initiative raises the bar for future-proofing our electricity infrastructure and delivering cost savings to customers.
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