For those of us who love EV sedans, there’s one more coming down the pike, this time from Volkswagen as the ID.Aero prototype morphs into the ID.7 … prototype …
The ID.7 is Volkswagen’s sixth modern EV following the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.6 (China only), and ID.Buzz, and it represents a premium sedan form factor.
The ID. Aero was presented originally in China and was said to have a 700km range on the optimistic WLTP standard. That’s 435 gringo miles and by the time the EPA is done with it, we’d expect the range to be in the mid to high 300s. That’s still impressive with the other ID vehicles usually landing in the mid 200-mile ranges.
With its latest MEB model, Volkswagen improves upon its previous ID models:
New display concept
Augmented reality heads-up display
38-centimeter (15-inch) screen
Digitally controlled air vents
Illuminated touch sliders
The ID.7 is one of 10 new EVs VW plans to launch by 2026 as it moves to make its whole lineup electric.
Some important notes:
Volkswagen will provide a glimpse of the next model in its EV family at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show this week (VW’s first appearance in six years).
This efficient electric sedan with long-range capability is built on the MEB platform.
Special camouflage for the ID.7 EV creates electroluminescent light effects.
Following on from the ID.4 SUV, the new sedan is Volkswagen’s next global electric vehicle and will be offered on three continents.
The world premiere of the series production version is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023.
Electrek’s Take
We got a sneak peak of the ID.7 late last year in Los Angeles and were blown away by the 40-layer electroluminescent light effects. We weren’t allowed to go inside (let alone drive it) however, which made for an admittedly disappointing trip.
It doesn’t sound like there will be any drives this week either, which is unusual for a car that’s going into production next quarter. Volkswagen is famous for drip-dropping news, so stay tuned.
The paint job is a prototype, and it won’t be on any soon-to-be-launched vehicles, but we’re told that the technology could make it into production cars at a later date. I can see this as something that police cars and EMS vehicles could use but wonder if it would be too distracting for typical vehicles.
As for the VW EV sedan form factor, it will be going up against the BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Tesla Model 3/S, and Mercedes E Class vehicles. All important will be pricing and availability as well as things like interior and how it drives, which we’ll hopefully be learning more about soon.
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Tennessee EV charging infrastructure developer PowerUp America just ordered a minimum of 100 new DC fast chargers in Q3 from Kempower, the Finnish company with a manufacturing hub in North Carolina.
PowerUp America, a relatively new player in the DC fast-charging station scene, is preparing to launch its first-ever DC fast-charging station in Kentucky by the end of the year.
These chargers are headed to NEVI-funded sites, which means they must all comply with the Build America, Buy America rules. PowerUp America posted on X/Twitter in October that the 400 kW chargers were already rolling off Kempower’s manufacturing line.
🚀 ROLLING OFF THE LINE IN NORTH CAROLINA!
Our Kempower DC Fast Chargers are officially off the manufacturing floor and ready to power the road ahead. ⚡
Here’s where they’re going, in addition to the fast charging station in Manchester, Kentucky: five new stations in Tennessee and two in Virginia. That Kentucky site features amenities such as pull-through stalls for easy towing, a full turning radius, a canopy for shade and weather protection, and on-site facilities (likely including snacks and restrooms – you know the drill).
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Each charger will offer both CCS1 and NACS connectors and will support tap-to-pay or app-based payments.
Josh Turner, CEO of PowerUp America, said, “Every new site is more than just a charger; it’s an investment in local economies, workforce development, and the transportation future we’re building across the Southeast.”
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Hyundai’s at it again. The automaker is extending its IONIQ 5 lease offer, keeping one of the most affordable EV deals in the US alive at just $189 per month.
Hyundai extends IONIQ 5 lease deal for $189 a month
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most popular vehicles in the US, and for good reason. Hyundai updated it for the 2025 model year with more driving range (up to 318 miles), a revamped look inside and out, and a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
Hyundai was also offering IONIQ 5 leases as low as $189 per month, making it one of the most affordable options for those looking to go electric.
The offer was set to end on November 3, but Hyundai has extended it for at least another month. Through December 1, you can still lease a 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD for just $189 per month for 36 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective cost is about $300 a month.
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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited (Source: Hyundai)
That’s still a pretty good deal, considering the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD is listed for lease at $219 a month for 24 months. With $4,499 due at signing, the effective cost is $406 a month, or over $100 more than the IONIQ 5.
Upgrading to the IONIQ 5 SEL RWD with 318 miles of range costs just $50 more per month. The offer is listed at $239 for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing, or an effective rate of $350.
Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 model year by nearly $10,000 on some trims after the federal tax credit expired at the end of September.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim
Driving Range (miles)
2025 Starting Price
2026 Starting Price*
Price Reduction
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range
245
$42,600
$35,000
($7,600)
IONIQ 5 SE RWD
318
$46,650
$37,500
($9,150)
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD
318
$49,600
$39,800
($9,800)
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD
318
$54,300
$45,075
($9,225)
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD
290
$50,150
$41,000
($9,150)
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD
290
$53,100
$43,300
($9,800)
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD
259
$55,500
$46,275
($9,225)
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD
269
$58,200
$48,975
($9,225)
2025 vs 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim
The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was listed for lease starting at $289 per month, but that offer also ended on November 3. Hyundai has yet to update lease offers for the new model. We’ll keep you updated as soon as it’s posted.
Hyundai’s electric SUV remains one of the most affordable EVs in the US, alongside the Chevy Equinox EV and new Nissan LEAF.
For those looking for a spacious, efficient, reasonably priced SUV, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is still worth checking out.
Polestar is about to make staying on course and finding your exit on the highway a lot less stressful. The EV maker is rolling out Google Maps’ new live lane guidance feature right onto the 10.2-inch driver display in the Polestar 4 – and it’s the first car brand to do so.
If you’ve ever missed an exit because you couldn’t get over in time, this one’s for you. Google Maps’ feature uses in-car AI to determine exactly which lane you’re in by analyzing road elements like road signs and lane markings from one of the Polestar 4’s forward-facing cameras. Then, it gives you visual and audio reminders to change lanes in time. No more guesswork, no more “oh no, that was my exit” moments.
You’ll see every possible lane highlighted for your route, along with a clear indication of which one you’re in. It’s designed to calm the chaos of multi-lane driving, especially in rush-hour traffic or sprawling interchanges.
Sid Odedra, Polestar’s head of UI/UX, says of the company’s latest collaboration with Google: “Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver-centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry.”
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The feature is coming first to Polestar 4 drivers in the US and Sweden “in the coming months,” via an over-the-air update. It’ll hit more markets and road types after that.
Google Maps’ Andrew Foster says this is just the next chapter in a partnership that began with the Polestar 2 in 2020, when it became the first car to ship with Google-built-in software. “Now, Polestar 4 will be the first to integrate our groundbreaking live lane guidance, which will help people drive with even more confidence.”
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