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Kia updated its electric vehicle strategy Wednesday at its CEO Investor Day 2023 in Seoul, Korea. The automaker says it’s now aiming to sell 1.6 million EVs by 2030, up 400,000 from the previous guidance of 1.2 million.

With Kia forecasting 4.3 million overall sales by then, it would mean EVs would only account for 37% of all sales.

Kia raises EV sales goal to 1.6 million by 2030

After a record year in 2022 coming off a fresh brand overhaul, Kia looks to keep the momentum rolling. The South Korean automaker revealed its “Plan S” strategy in 2020, designed to transition the company to an EV-focused brand and boost sales.

In fact, Kia has completely transformed its brand, including changing the company name (from Kia Motors to Kia) and introducing a new logo.

Last May, Kia unveiled its first dedicated fully-electric vehicle, the high-flying EV6 crossover, based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the same one the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 models ride on.

The company established its “opposites united” design approach, which has been its guiding philosophy for the new EVs like the flagship EV9, Kia’s first seven-seat SUV, and the smaller upcoming EV5 electric SUV.

Kia EV6 GT (Source: Kia)

Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, announced today that the automaker will accelerate its efforts to become an “EV tier 1 brand.” To do so, Kia has developed four pillars:

  1. Introduce a full EV lineup including 15 models as of 2027.
  2. Increase EV sales goal to 1.6 million by 2030, up 400,000 from the previous 1.2 million guidance.
  3. Advance battery technology from Gen 3 to Gen 5 (which Kia says will increase energy density by 50%) and secure a stable battery supply chain.
  4. Install 3,500 ultra-fast chargers in Korea by 2025 while partnering globally to expand charging infrastructure.

As an interim target, Kia is aiming to sell over 1 million electric vehicles by 2026, representing a 25% increase from its previous plans. The South Korean automaker has its first dedicated EV plant opening in 2024 in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, where two new EV models will be built.

Kia’s first target will be selling 258,000 electric vehicles by the end of the year as it works to establish its position in the new EV era.

Electrek’s Take

Although Kia adjusting its EV sales goal higher is great, it still only represents 37% of the automaker’s total sales target for 2030.

Several automakers are already selling double-digit (or 100%) EV sales by now, while other legacy automakers like Ford, GM, and Stellantis are aiming for 40% to 50% by the end of the decade, which is low in itself.

Tesla sold 1.2 million zero-emission EVs alone in 2022, and another record first quarter with over 422,000 deliveries.

Earlier this year, Polestar’s head of sustainability, Fredrika Klarén, called out legacy automakers, saying there is no place for mass-produced non-EV models after 2030.

Klarén said Polestar is basing its assessments on a science-based approach, and anyone claiming they will fix it by 2040 or 2050 is not listening, because we will have already missed our goal, going on to explain:

We only have seven years left until we hit 1.5 degrees global warming. That’s a fact if we continue on the route we’re heading into. So, anything after 2030, we’re not interested.

We don’t have time to wait until after 2030, especially not with only 37% EV sales. More needs to be done including ending ICE vehicle production.

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Genesis GV90 coach door system revealed in new patent

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Genesis GV90 coach door system revealed in new patent

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.

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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.

Genesis-GV90-coach-doors
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)

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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Podcast: Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more

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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:

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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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US EV sales stay strong, but looming tariffs threaten affordability

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US EV sales stay strong, but looming tariffs threaten affordability

July EV sales looked strong on the surface, but the looming impact of tariffs and the end of EV tax credits reveal a more complicated picture, according to Cars.com’s new Industry Insights report.

New-vehicle sales jumped 6.6% year-over-year, even as dealer inventory fell for the first time since 2022. Much of the spike came from a “buy now” mindset as shoppers raced to lock in deals before tariffs and policy changes drive prices higher. For EVs in particular, the looming end of the federal $7,500 tax credit on September 30 added another layer of urgency.

EV inventory growth is slowing – for now

Shoppers technically have more EV options than ever, with 75 models on the market – a 27% jump from last year. But new EV inventory growth has slowed to just 9% year-over-year, the lowest since before the Inflation Reduction Act revived federal incentives. Analysts expect another wave of buying before the tax credit vanishes, but after that, higher prices could cool demand, especially with most new EVs still priced in the premium-to-luxury bracket.

Tariffs set to push prices higher

Automakers absorbed an estimated $12 billion in tariff costs in the second quarter alone to keep sticker prices steady. That’s not sustainable, and once those costs flow into 2026 models, EV buyers could be facing thousands more on the same car.

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At current 25% tariff levels, the average new-vehicle price could jump from $48,000 to $54,400 – about $6,400 more. Even if trade deals trim tariffs to 15%, buyers would still see increases of more than $4,000. That’s a huge gap compared to household incomes, which grew only 1% last year.

The used EV market is heating up

While new EV prices are bracing for impact, the used EV market is gaining momentum. Inventory is up 33% year-over-year, while average prices dipped 2% to $36,000. Affordable used EVs under $25,000 – including the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevy Bolt EV – are selling 20% faster than average. Many also qualify for the $4,000 used-EV tax credit, which, like the new EV credit, ends September 30.

Read more: Global EV sales hit 10.7M in 2025 – Europe surges, US stalls


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