Here’s how Kia is redefining its brand with the flagship EV9 three-row electric SUV
When you come across a Kia vehicle, the word luxury typically isn’t the first word that comes to mind. The South Korean automaker is out to change that with its first three-row electric SUV, the Kia EV9, which is destined to deliver new standards from the brand.
Since officially unveiling the EV9 in March, the electric SUV has gained the attention of buyers and auto journalists alike as Kia’s largest, most advanced EV model yet.
The EV9 is Kia’s second dedicated EV, following the smaller EV6 crossover. Like the electric crossover, the EV9 rides on the Hyundai Motor Group’s 800V E-GMP platform (also used for the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6).
Kia says the EV9 offers “true SUV capabilities” with up to almost 82 cubic feet of cargo space in the back, 7.8 inches of ground clearance, available AWD, and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity.
At up to 197.4 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 70.1 inches tall, Kia’s three-row electric SUV is massive, about 200 millimeters longer than the Kia Telluride and slightly smaller than Ford’s Explorer. With the larger 99.8 kWh battery, the EV9 can travel up to 336 miles in range (541 kilometers).
However, as Kia explains, its engineers developed the vehicle to be more than one that gets you from point A to point B.
Kia redefines the brand with its EV9 electric SUV
Kia wants its new flagship electric SUV to evolve its brand perception while attracting customers away from rivals, in some cases premium buyers.
After launching deliveries in its home market of South Korea last week, the EV9 gathered 13,000 preorders within the first eight days. More importantly, over half the orders were from customers new to the brand.
Kia is pushing for the same results in the US, its largest market, with the EV9 expected to go on sale before the end of the year. Starting next summer, Kia will begin EV9 production at its West Point, Georgia plant, where it will be its first EV built in the US.
The automaker says the EV9 “not only opens up new levels of comfort but also versatility and flexibility.”
As such, the EV9 features a “luxe living room on wheels” concept that includes second-row swivel seats (that can turn a full 180 degrees), abundant charging points, cup holders, reading lights, and a panoramic sunroof.
The EV9 acts as a mobile power bank with Vehicle-to-Load capabilities, allowing you to use up to 3.68 kW of power to charge a laptop, camping equipment, or larger items like an electric grill or outdoor projector with the electric SUV’s powerful battery.
Kia says the EV9 will be the Hyundai Motor Group’s first model to offer on-demand features and OTA updates in a new software-driven era for the brand.
With the most advanced version of Kia’s Highway Driving Pilot, the EV9 supports “conditional SAE Level 3 autonomous driving,” according to the company.
And to get you back on the road quickly, the EV9 features ultrafast charging. Thanks to Hyundai’s 800V E-GMP platform, the EV9 can provide 148 miles (239 kilometers) of driving range with 15 minutes of charging time.
The electric SUV will be offered in two battery options – a standard 76.1 kWh version and a larger 99.8 kWh model. A third high-performance GT version is expected to debut as early as 2025. Kia has yet to release US prices for the EV9, but thanks to a Belgian price list, we can estimate it will be around $67.5K (at current exchange rates) for the larger battery and around $60K for the standard model.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
SolarEdge and Solar Landscape are going to turn hundreds of empty commercial rooftops into solar energy generators in the US.
The two companies announced today that they’ve struck a deal to use SolarEdge’s US-made solar technology in more than 500 commercial rooftop projects across multiple states. Construction will take place in 2025 and 2026.
The installations will be built on large-scale commercial and industrial buildings – think warehouses and distribution centers – with a ton of untapped solar potential.
“Generating electricity on commercial rooftops and distributing it into the grid is America’s most shovel-ready energy option,” said Shaun Keegan, CEO of commercial rooftop solar developer Solar Landscape. “Our partnership with SolarEdge allows us to rapidly and efficiently deploy solar across a diverse array of commercial and industrial rooftops. Their US-manufactured technology gives us the reliability and performance we need while meeting domestic content requirements for our projects.”
Using US-made tech helps projects qualify for federal incentives while reducing delays by keeping supply chains local. SolarEdge says its domestic manufacturing operations have already created about 2,000 American jobs.
Naama Ohana, who heads up SolarEdge’s commercial & industrial division, said, “This collaboration demonstrates how American innovation and manufacturing are helping to address the nation’s growing energy needs while strengthening local economies.”
In 2024 alone, Solar Landscape leased 40 million square feet of rooftop space in the US, and it aims to deploy enough solar to power around 80,000 homes. The company now has more than 80 partners who own over 2 billion square feet of commercial property nationwide.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Hyundai is preparing to launch what’s expected to be its most advanced EV yet. With its official launch just around the corner, Hyundai’s new Elexio SUV is already beating expectations in global testing.
Hyundai’s Elexio electric SUV impresses in global tests
We got our first look at the Elexio in May after Hyundai’s joint venture with BAIC, Beijing Hyundai unveiled the new electric SUV in Shanghai.
After warning that China is a “must-fight place” for global automakers, including itself, Hyundai is stepping up to the plate.
The Elexio is “a new starting point,” the company claims. Dubbed the IONIQ 5 of China, Hyundai’s new electric SUV is packed with smart technology, fast charging capabilities, and advanced features, boasting a CLTC driving range of 435 miles (700 km).
Ahead of its official launch in China in the next few weeks, the Elexio is already making a statement during global tests.
Hyundai’s new electric SUV has now undergone three crash tests, among other global evaluations, consistently outperforming safety, quality, and performance expectations each time.
After impressing during front, side, and ditch rollover safety tests, Hyundai credited the five layers of ultra-high-strength steel plating, dubbed “God’s Hand,” around the frame. In fact, it has a 360-degree reinforced body design with eight horizontal and seven vertical floor beams.
In a -30℃ (-22F) chamber, the Elexio still started up and charged while the battery preconditioned. It also lost less driving range than the average. The Elexio lost 39% of its range compared to an average of around 40% at -7℃ (19.4°F).
The final global ride and handling road test proved Hyundai’s electric SUV is ready to hit the streets. Hyundai simulated 17 types of “bad urban road” conditions to see if the Elexio could handle them.
Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the company claims the Elexio offers “the highest suspension configuration in its class.” Added high-end shock absorber valves and hydraulic bushings to minimize vibration, while providing drivers with more control over the vehicle. Hyundai fine-tuned the suspension over 300 times for the perfect ride.
After China’s MIIT released sales info last month, we learned that Hyundai’s new electric SUV is 4,615 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,673 mm in height, which is slightly smaller than the Tesla Model Y.
It will be available in single and dual-motor powertrain options, providing 160 kW (214 hp) and 233 kW (312 hp) of output, respectively. The LFP batteries will be supplied by BYD’s battery unit, FinDream.
Hyundai is set to launch the Elexio in China in the third quarter of 2025. Prices will be announced closer to launch, but according to CarNewsChina, it’s expected to start at around 140,000 yuan ($19,500).
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Beijing Hyundai
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Tesla is rumored to be behind a large $4 billion lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery cell order with Korea’s LG Energy Solution.
Yesterday, LG reported having secured a $4.3 billion order for LFP battery cells from its new factory in the US from August 2027 to July 2030.
The Korean company didn’t confirm the identity of the customer, but it did mention that the cells will be used in stationary energy storage products, which prompted many people to speculate that Tesla is behind the order.
Tesla currently produces Megapacks and Powerwalls in the US with LFP battery cells from China.
We previously reported that this is a problem amid the trade war between the US and China.
As of last year, a 25% tariff already applied to battery cells from China, but this increased to more than 80% under Trump before he paused some tariffs on China. It remains unclear where they will end up by the time negotiations are complete and the trade war is resolved, but many expect it to be higher.
Prior to Trump taking power, Tesla had already planned to build a small LFP battery factory in the US to avoid the 25% tariffs.
The automaker had secured older manufacturing equipment from one of its battery cell suppliers, CATL, and planned to deploy it in the US for small-scale production.
Tesla recently unveiled some images of the factory, which it claims is almost complete, but it is expected to be limited to less than 10 GWh of LFP battery cell production per year at full capacity, while Tesla produces more than 40 GWh of energy storage products per year in the US.
LG’s LFP battery cells made in the US would enable Tesla to close the gap between its own battery cell production and its Megapack and Powerwall production.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike