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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.”

Kia-EV9-electric-SUV
Kia EV9 interior (Source: Kia)

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-EV9-electric-SUV
Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)

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.

Kia EV9 electric SUV
Kia EV9 electric SUV models (Source: Kia)

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.

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Wheel-E Podcast: ’70 MPH e-bikes’, Vietnam bans gasoline bikes, more

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Wheel-E Podcast: '70 MPH e-bikes', Vietnam bans gasoline bikes, more

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes “70 MPH e-bikes” prompting new law changes, recalled Amazon/Walmart e-bikes, Vietnam banning gasoline-powered motorcycles, and more.

The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

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, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 8:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 9:00 a.m. ET):

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Exxon earnings beat estimates as production growth softens impact of lower oil prices

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Exxon earnings beat estimates as production growth softens impact of lower oil prices

Exxon earnings beat estimates as production growth softens impact of lower oil prices

Exxon Mobil reported second-quarter earnings on Friday that declined significantly compared to last year, though the company beat Wall Street estimates as production growth in the Permian Basin and Guyana softened the impact of lower oil prices.

Exxon’s net income fell 23% to $7.1 billion, or $1.64 per share, compared to $9.2 billion, or $2.14 per share, in the same period last year.

Here is what Exxon reported for the second quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

  • Earnings per share: $1.64 vs. $1.54 expected
  • Revenue: $81.5 billion vs. $80.77 billion expected

The oil major pumped 4.6 million barrels per day, the highest output for the second quarter since Exxon and Mobil merged more than 25 years ago. Production in the Permian hit a record 1.6 million bpd.

Exxon’s production business posted a profit of $5.4 billion, down 23% from about $7.1 billion in the same period last year on lower oil prices. Its refining business booked earnings of $1.37 billion globally, up 44% compared to $946 million in the year-ago period due to higher refining margins.

Exxon paid out $9.2 billion to shareholders, including more than $4 billion in dividends and $5 billion in share repurchases. The oil major said it’s on pace to purchase $20 billion of shares this year.

Exxon has slashed its costs by $1.4 billion so far this year and $13.5 billion since 2019. It is aiming to cut another $4.5 billion through the end of 2030.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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Chevron profit hit by low crude oil prices and loss from Hess acquisition

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Chevron profit hit by low crude oil prices and loss from Hess acquisition

Chevron profit hit by low crude oil prices and loss from Hess acquisition

Chevron on Friday reported second-quarter earnings that took a substantial hit due to low oil prices and a loss on its acquisition of Hess Corporation.

The oil major’s net income declined about 44% to $2.49 billion, or $1.45 per share, from $4.43 billion, or $2.43 per share, in the same period last year.

Chevron booked a $215 million loss on the fair value measurement of Hess shares. When adjusted for that charge and other one-time items, Chevron earned $1.77 per share to beat Wall Street estimates.

Here is what Chevron reported for the second quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

  • Earnings per share: $1.77 adjusted vs. $1.70 expected
  • Revenue: $44.82 billion vs. $43.82 billion expected

Chevron completed its acquisition of Hess on July 18, after prevailing against Exxon Mobil in a long-running dispute that threatened to blow up the $53 billion deal. An arbitration court rejected Exxon’s claim to a right of first refusal over lucrative Hess assets in Guyana, clearing the way for Chevron to complete the transaction after a long delay.

Chevron expects the deal to begin adding to earnings in the fourth quarter. It also hopes to reduce annual run-rate costs by $1 billion by the end of 2025.

Chevron pumped a record 3.4 million barrels per day worldwide for the quarter, a 3% increase over the same period last year. U.S. production jumped about 8% to 1.69 million bpd compared to the year-ago period, with production in the Permian Basin hitting 1 million bpd. The Hess acquisition will add assets in the Bakken formation and Gulf of Mexico in addition to Guyana.

Chevron’s production business posted a profit of $2.72 billion, down 38% from $4.47 billion in the same period last year due to lower oil prices. Its refining business booked earnings of $737 million, up 23% from $597 million last year on higher margins for product sales.

Chevron paid out $5.5 billion to shareholders in the quarter, including $2.6 billion in share buybacks and $2.9 billion in dividends.

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