Hyundai wants to simplify EV ownership with new Evolve+ EV subscription program
During a presentation at the Chicago Auto Show earlier today, Hyundai Motor North America has introduced a new month-to-month EV subscription program called Evolve+, aimed at “EV curious” consumers. The all-encompassing monthly price includes the EV itself, plus insurance, roadside assistance, and maintenance. This turnkey option will begin with a couple of Hyundai brand EVs with comparable pricing you can view below.
Hyundai Motor Group continues its massive leap into electrification a short time into 2023. Not only has the Korean automaker fully embraced a transition to EVs across its three marques, it continues to deliver consumers some of the best bang for their buck in terms of technology, performance, and design.
Last month, we learned that Hyundai’s upcoming IONIQ 6 Streamliner will deliver up to 361 miles of EPA estimated range and a confirmed 140 combined MPGe rating – taking the top spot for 2023 models alongside the Lucid Air.
That upcoming EV can be seen in the automaker’s latest ad campaign starring Kevin Bacon before it joins Hyundai’s lineup of EVs alongside the IONIQ 5 and Kona Electric later this year. Both of the aforementioned models continue to find success in a consumer market that’s becoming more and more intrigued and excited at the possibility for going all-electric at a fair price.
But what about those people who are flirting with the idea of an EV but are not ready commit to a full purchase or a long-term lease? What if they find they have trouble finding a charging near their apartment or they decide they need something bigger?
Today, Hyundai has announced a solution. Evolve+ is a new month-to-month EV subscription that gives prospective customers the opportunity to test out a Hyundai vehicle without all the paperwork but with all the necessary services included.
Hyundai launches all-encompassing EV subscriptions
Hyundai Motor North America shared details of its new EV subscription service in a press release that followed today’s presentation at the Chicago Auto Show.
To begin, Evolve+ will offer month-to-month subscriptions of both the Kona Electric and IONIQ 5, starting at a price of $699 and $899 per month respectively. Hyundai shared the following price comparison so we can see how its new EV subscription option compares to other methods of acquiring a new vehicle.
| 2022 IONIQ 5 SE RWD |
Purchase | Lease | Rental | Evolve+ |
| Monthly payment | $850 | $609 | $2,479 | Variable from $899 |
| Acquisition/ Activation fee |
— | $650 | N/A | $300 |
| Disposition fee | — | $400 (one time) |
N/A | — |
| Monthly mile allowance |
Unlimited | 1,000 | Unlimited | 1,000 |
| Required commitment |
6 years | 3 years | 28 days | 28 days |
Those monthly payments are pretty steep compared to a long-term lease for example, but keep in mind your subscription payment also includes 1,000 miles per month, insurance, maintenance, registration, and roadside assistance. Vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, at Hyundai Motor North America, Olabisi Boyle, spoke to the new program:
With no paperwork, no commitment and no long-term loan, Evolve+ is an optimal solution for the “EV-curious” car shopper. We’ve prioritized simplicity and flexibility with the subscription process, allowing customers to place orders and renew on their own terms on their own time all via smartphone. We are hoping that by offering a subscription-based option, we will increase EV adoption and awareness as customers transition into an EV future.
The automaker has also considered other potential subscribers Evolve+ could serve, in addition to consumers looking to dip their toe in the zero-emissions pool. Hyundai points out that the flexibility of its EV subscription program could also serve college students home for the summer, or a worker away on a short-term remote work assignment.
Here’s how the new Evolve+ program works:
- Download the Evolve+ app from Google Play or Apple Store to your smartphone.
- Search for a vehicle by price and zip code, then select a model from inventory and choose a monthly term.
Hyundai states your monthly term can easily be renewed if needed.
- The price is then displayed. Zero negotiation required.
- Login or create a new Hyundai account.
- Complete your subscription payment using a credit card.
Payment reserves your shiny new Hyundai EV.
- Arrange a pickup date and time at your local Hyundai dealership.
Subscribers using Evolve+ are free to cancel at any time and do not have to commit to any long-term payments longer than the 28 days minimum outlined above. Hyundai also points out that if an Evolve+ customer enjoys their experience and wants to make a long-term commitment, their local Hyundai dealer can lease or sell them the EV.
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Slate Auto, a new EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has poached a key Tesla manufacturing leader to build its electric pickup truck factory in Indiana.
Napoleon Reyes is a US Marine from Indiana who got a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue after leaving the force.
He then worked a few years at Subaru and Wabash before joining Tesla’s manufacturing team at the Fremont Factory in 2020.
There, he became part of the Model Y production ramp and was quickly promoted to lead the Model Y General Assembly in Fremont in 2022.
Reyes led Model Y GA, one of the most critical parts of vehicle manufacturing, for more than a year before being promoted again to lead new pilot processes at the factory.
Most recently, he led the launch of the general assembly line for the Model Y refresh.
The new engineering manager announced this week that he is leaving Tesla to join Slate:
A bit late on the post but after nearly 5 years working at Tesla in Fremont, I made the difficult decision to leave the Company and move closer to home with my family. It was an incredible experience being part of multiple line expansions and multiple Model Y program launches. Leading and managing the Model Y Refresh launch for GA in Fremont this year tested me professionally however we ultimately succeeded due to our amazing cross functional team collaboration. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with such great people, and I will forever be proud and thankful for everything we accomplished together.
I will be taking on a new role as Senior Manager, Plant Vehicle Engineering at Slate Auto in Warsaw, In.
Slate emerged from stealth mode earlier this year to unveil a new type of electric pickup truck featuring modular customization and an affordable price.
The company raised over $700 million through two rounds of investments from several different investors, including Jeff Bezos. It is currently raising more, which basically guarantees that it will be able to reach production.
The startup acquired a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana. It is currently converting to manufacture its electric pickup with a team from legacy automakers and also several former engineers and leaders from Tesla.
Rich Schmidt, an early Tesla manufacturing director, is the head of manufacturing.
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Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.
New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system
When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.
Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.
The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.
After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.
The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.
Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.
The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.
Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.
Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.
Source: USPTO
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Environment
Podcast: Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the launch of the Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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