Hyundai’s sleek IONIQ 5 electric SUV design and advanced features are attracting a new group of buyers that would usually stick with a premium brand. The success has even surprised company leaders, like Michael Cole, President, and CEO at Hyundai Europe, who claims “brand loyalty doesn’t seem to be as strong in EVs.”
After the IONIQ 5 made its official debut in 2021, Hyundai didn’t realize it had a gem on its hands that would transform the company’s entire brand image.
Although Hyundai was known as a “cheap” car brand early on, the South Korean automaker has transformed itself in the EV era with quality interior and exterior designs, state-of-the-art technology, and a focus on innovation.
By doing so, Hyundai, including the Kia and Genesis brands, grew to become the third largest automaker this past year, surpassing GM, Nissan, and Stellantis in annualy volume in 2022.
Hyundai took a “radical new approach” with its first dedicated electric vehicle, the IONIQ 5. The automaker says the IONIQ 5 was designed and built with a progressive apporoach that started with looking to its past, in particular, its first unique vehicle, the Pony.
However, what truly brings the IONIQ 5 to life is Hyundai’s Electric Globular Modular Platform (E-GMP), the company’s dedicated EV archetecture featuring up to 310 miles range (500 km), 800V ultrafast charging (18 minutes), vehicle-to-load capabilities (V2L), and more.
The sleek, bold design and functionality is attracting a new group of users that’s surprising even Hyundai’s leaders.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 is attracting premium buyers
Hyundai’s progressive approach is paying off. According to a new report from Autocar, the IONIQ 5 has been winning over customers from premium brands.
Although the electric SUV is priced above Hyundai’s typicaly range, it’s about in line with the competition, starting at $41,500, and sales have been strong.
The IONIQ 5 was followed up by the IONIQ 6 electric sedan, which was officially unveiled last July, gaining attention as one of the most aeordynamic and energy efficient EVs on the market and placing among the top two models on Fueleconomy.gov’s 2023 top 10 list with the Lucid Air.
IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 sales reached over 100,000 last year as the brand accelerated its transition to zero-emission electric vehicles. Hyundai is planning to release its larger IONIQ 7 SUV next year.
The success of the IONIQ 5 has given Hyundai confidence in releasing its larger SUV, as Cole explains:
With Ioniq 7 there was a bit of hesitation a year ago prior to Ioniq 5 about whether it was a car for Europe – but after the success of the Ioniq 5, we now 100 per cent think it’s a car that we can sell in Europe, and we will capture some premium brand customers with it.
Cole adds “brand loyalty doesn’t seem as strong in EVs” as several new electric models are pulling sales from premium brands.
Although Hyundai is attracting premium buyers, the brand isn’t planning to change its image altogether (to a premium one). Instead, the company believes it can reach an entire new customer base with its EVs.
Electrek’s Take
It doesn’t come as a surprise the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is winning over premium buyers. The modern look and functionality is enough to make anyone convert.
However, Hyundai isn’t the only brand with EVs winning over new buyers groups. Tesla blazed its own path, with two models now in the top 10 best selling cars worldwide. Ford, GM, and others have mentioned success stories with buyers converting from gas-powered cars and other brands.
The same thing is happening in China. EV startups with bold designs and advanced features are winning over customers and stealing share from the premium brands.
The fact of the matter is EVs are more fun to drive, buyers will look for the best option on the market regardless of brand.
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The US wind industry installed just 5.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 – the lowest level in a decade, according to Wood Mackenzie’s new US Wind Energy Monitor report. Installations are expected to rebound in 2025, but the real concern lies in US wind’s sharply downgraded 5-year outlook. As for the reason behind that bleak forecast, we’ll give you one guess as to why, and it starts with a T.
Wood Mac reports that 3.9 GW of onshore wind came online last year, along with 1.3 GW of onshore repowers and 101 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind.
Onshore wind
The US is expected to achieve more than 160 GW of installed onshore capacity by 2025, and onshore growth is projected to bounce back from 2024 and surpass 6.3 GW this year.
“The cliff in 2023 and 2024 created by the Production Tax Credit (PTC) push in 2022 will come to an end,” said Stephen Maldonado, research analyst at Wood Mackenzie. “Despite the uncertainty created by the new administration, the massive number of orders placed in 2023 culminating in projects now under construction support the short-term forecast.”
The pipeline for onshore has 10.8 GW currently under construction through 2027, with another 3.9 GW announced.
GE Vernova led onshore wind installations in 2024 with 56% of the market and will continue to lead in connections for the next five years. It was followed by Vestas (40%) and Siemens Gamesa (4%).
Offshore wind
Offshore wind is projected to increase in 2025 as well, with 900 MW of installed capacity, up from a disappointing 101 MW in 2024. However, several projects have been shelved in the wake of Trump’s anti-wind executive orders, which downgraded the five-year outlook by 1.8 GW.
Electrek’s Take on US wind’s 5-year outlook
According to Wood Mac, 33 GW of new onshore wind capacity will be installed through 2029, along with 6.6 GW of new offshore capacity and 5.5 GW of repowers. However, due to Trump’s anti-wind policy and economic uncertainty, this five-year outlook is 40% less than a previous total of 75.8 GW. Growth will happen, but it’s going to be slower.
The main reason is Trump’s flourish of his Sharpie on executive orders that include “temporary” withdrawal of offshore wind leasing areas and putting a stop to onshore wind on federal lands. Plus, firing all those federal employees will likely make permitting wind farms a slower process. (Trump just wrote more executive orders today allowing coal projects on federal lands; he won’t have federal employees to issue permits for those, either.) He’s worked to throw up obstacles for wind projects in favor of fossil fuels. He won’t stop the wind industry, but he’s managed to get some projects canceled, and he’ll make things more of a slog over the next few years.
Read more: Coal is dead and Trump’s executive order won’t revive it
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BYD’s cheapest EV in China just got even more affordable. After cutting prices this month, the BYD Seagull EV starts at just 56,800 yuan, or under $8,000.
BYD cuts Seagull EV price to under $8,000 in April
Despite an intensifying EV price war in China, BYD is cutting prices once again. The Chinese EV giant announced a new promotion this month across several Ocean Series models, including the Seagull.
The 2025 BYD Seagull EV is available starting at just 56,800 yuan ($7,800). The offer is for the non-Smart Driving Vitality Edition model, which usually starts at 69,800 yuan ($9,500).
After launching the new Seagull last year, BYD said the low-cost electric car officially opened “a new era of electricity being lower than oil.” Earlier this year, it upgraded most of its vehicles, including the Seagull, with its new “God’s Eye” smart driving system at no extra charge.
BYD’s Seagull is offered in three trims in China: Vitality, Freedom, and Flying. It has two battery options, 30.1 kWh or 38.9 kWh, which is good for the 305 km (190 mi) and 405 km (252 mi) CLTC range, respectively.
At just 3,780 mm long, 1,715 mm wide, and 1,540 mm tall, the Seagull is even smaller than the former Chevy Bolt EV (4,145 mm long, 1,765 mm wide, and 1,611 mm tall). It’s about the size of a Fiat 500e.
The price cut comes as BYD’s sales continue surging. With another 377,420 new energy vehicles (EVs and PHEVs) sold last month, the Chinese automaker has now sold over one million NEVs in 2025.
BYD’s EVs accounted for 416,388 while PHEV sales reached 569,710, an increase of 39% and 76% from last year, respectively.
| BYD Seagull EV trim | Starting Price | Range (CLTC) |
| Vitality | Normal: $9,500 (69,800 yuan) Now: $8,000 (56,800 yuan) |
190 mi (305 km) |
| Freedom | $10,300 (75,800 yuan) | 190 mi (305 km) |
| Flying | $11,700 (85,800 yuan) | 252 mi (405 km) |
Perhaps even more importantly, BYD sold over 206,000 vehicles overseas in 2025, more than doubling from last year. The Seagull EV is also sold in other global markets like Mexico and Brazil as the Dolphin Mini.
Later this year, it will launch in Europe as the Dolphin Surf, with expected prices starting under £20,000 ($26,000). Although it may not be the cheapest EV, BYD’s executive vice president, Stella Li, recently told Autocar it will be “the best value” when it arrives.
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