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Kia is opening reservations for its eagerly awaited flagship EV9 electric SUV in the US on October 16th. The EV9 is expected to attract significant interest as Kia’s first three-row electric SUV.

Kia is opening EV9 reservations on October 16th

“The Kia EV9 represents the future of sustainable mobility, and this reservation program will allow interested customers to be among the first in line for one of the most highly anticipated new vehicles to hit the U.S. market in years,” Steven Center, COO and EVP at Kia America explained this week.

Kia unveiled its largest electric SUV in March, previewing the automaker’s vision of the future with a trailblazing new design and premium tech features.

The EV9 will start at $54,900 (not including destination) and will be available in four trims: Light Long Range RWD, Wind AWD, Land AWD, and a sporty GT-Line AWD.

Reservations are expected to open within the next two weeks. Starting October 16 at 10 a.m. PST, those interested will have the opportunity to reserve Kia’s first three electric SUV.

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Kia EV9 electric SUV (Source: Kia)

If you reserve the EV9 before November 27th, you will be eligible for a “suite of gifts,” including a Webasto Go Dual Voltage Portable EV Charger ($549 value), a complimentary three-year Kia maintenance plan, and one-year of available digital features and services.

The deal is good for purchases and leasing. In addition, all customers will receive a credit for 1,000 kWh of charging at Electrify America.

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Kia says it expects “significant interest” in its EV9, and the reservation program is a way of celebrating early adopters.

If interested, you can visit Kia.com to design and reserve your EV9 with a $750 fully refundable payment placed with participating Kia dealers.

What to expect from Kia’s first three-row electric SUV

The EV9 “will deliver sought-after features packed into one powerhouse EV SUV,” according to the Kia.

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Powered by Hyundai’s E-GMP platform (the same used for the IONIQ 5), the EV9 is the first model to use its fourth-generation battery tech. The 800V platform enables DC fast charging from 10% to 80% in under 25 minutes.

Kia included “true SUV capabilities,” like up to 5,000 lbs towing, 7.8 of ground clearance, and over 81 cu ft of cargo space behind the first row.

The EV9 is slightly longer than the Kia Telluride at 197.2″ in length, while they are nearly the same height (up to 70.1″) and width (77.9″). Even with its rugged, boxy design, the electric SUV features a drag coefficient of 0.28, beating out the Volvo EX90 at 0.29.

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Kia EV9 interior (Source: Kia)

Kia included the latest in-vehicle tech, including its sixth-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system. The new infotainment includes faster processing, easy accessibility, OTA updates, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

At the center of the new system is an elliptical-shaped dash with a modern “floating” effect. A wide, single-panel panoramic display is featured on top with dual 12.3″ screens and a 5″ HVAC screen.

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Underneath the screen are hidden switches for infotainment features. Meanwhile, physical buttons for volume, temperature, and fan speed are added for practicality.

Kia included over 20 ADAS features as standard, including an updated Forward-Avoidance Assist.

The EV9 will initially be built in South Korea and shipped to the US, with 2024 models expected to hit showrooms by the end of the year. Next year, Kia will move production to its West Point, Georgia, facility to take advantage of the EV tax credit provided by the IRA.

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Blink + Hubject unlock easier EV charging across North America

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Blink + Hubject unlock easier EV charging across North America

Blink Charging (Nasdaq: BLNK) has struck a deal with Hubject to make charging easier for EV drivers across North America.

The agreement will bring Blink into Hubject’s intercharge eRoaming platform as a charge point operator. That means electric mobility service providers (eMSPs) and their customers in the US, Canada, and Mexico will soon have access to Blink’s charging stations through their existing apps. In turn, Blink drivers will gain better access to stations connected through Hubject’s network.

Hubject, which already connects more than 1 million charging points and 2,750 partners worldwide, expects the integration to strengthen its North American presence by adding Blink’s wide-ranging network of chargers, from Level 2 workplace stations to DC fast charging. Blink, meanwhile, anticipates more customers will plug in, thanks to Hubject’s reach.

“Our collaboration with Blink marks an important step in expanding our North American intercharge network,” said Trishan Peruma, CEO of Hubject North America. “By integrating Blink’s network into our eRoaming platform, we aim to help reduce barriers that have historically complicated EV charging and to support the continued growth of EV adoption across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.”

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Blink Charging’s president and CEO Mike Battaglia added, “Connecting the Blink Network to Hubject’s platform will allow more drivers to benefit from interoperable charging while traveling.”

The integration will use the industry-standard OCPI protocol to keep billing and communication between networks secure and reliable. Deployment is planned in phases throughout 2025, with full integration targeted for the end of the year.

Read more: Blink just made it a lot easier to find its charging stations


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The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N gets a new Essentials trim in Korea and a lower price tag

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The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N gets a new Essentials trim in Korea and a lower price tag

Hyundai wants to make the electric sports car for everyone. Not just those who can afford it. The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Essentials trim was launched in Korea on Monday, offering a lower price tag but the same thrilling drive.

Hyundai launches new IONIQ 5 N Essentials in Korea

The IONIQ 5 N is Hyundai’s first EV sports car under the IONIQ series. Initially launched in 2023, the IONIQ 5 N marked a new era for Hyundai’s high-performance N division.

Hyundai’s electric hot hatch not only looks the part with added sporty “N” branded elements scattered inside and out, but it’s also packed with fun features, advanced tech, and a host of drive modes.

Based on a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain, the IONIQ 5 N delivers up to 641 horsepower when N Grin Boost is engaged. Even without it, the electric sports car packs 601 hp.

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It also draws power from an 84 kWh battery, good for an EPA-estimated range of 221 miles. On the WLTP scale, it’s rated with an official range of 278 miles (448 km). The added power results in a lower range than other IONIQ 5 trims.

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The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 Essentials trim (Source: Hyundai)

Although it was already one of the most affordable sports cars, EV or gas-powered, Hyundai is lowering the price even further.

After launching the new Essentials model in South Korea on Monday, Hyundai said the new trim “is characterized by lowering the barrier to entry so that customers can experience the overwhelming driving performance of the IONIQ 5 N at a reasonable price through optimized specifications.”

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The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 Essentials trim (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai focused on core convenience features while including the same high-performance motors, battery, and N-specific elements as the base model.

A Hyundai official said, “The Essential trim of the IONIQ 5 N is a new trim that offers greater cost-effectiveness to lower the barrier to entry for high-performance electric vehicles.”

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The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N (Source: Hyundai)

The IONIQ 5 N features advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including highway driving assist and navigation-based smart cruise control. Hyundai has also added an exclusive new “Parking Assist Lite” package, offering safety and convenience features such as surround view monitoring and rear parking assistance.

The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Essentials trim starts at 74.9 million won ($54,000), including tax benefits. Hyundai said it will continue to make competitive products so more buyers can experience high-performance EVs.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N (Source: Hyundai)

Although the Essentials trim is not available in the US, the IONIQ 5 N is still more affordable than most sports cars. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N starts at $66,200. But, with the $7,500 tax credit, which is set to expire on September 30, leases are currently listed as low as $549 per month.

Looking to test the IONIQ 5 out for yourself? You can use our link to find the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and high-performance N models near you today (trusted affiliate link).

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In a blow to Trump, judge clears Ørsted’s Revolution Wind to resume

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In a blow to Trump, judge clears Ørsted’s Revolution Wind to resume

A federal judge has cleared the way for Ørsted’s nearly complete 704-megawatt (MW) Revolution Wind offshore wind farm to restart construction, overturning a stop-work order imposed by the Trump administration.

Reagan-appointed senior US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted a preliminary injunction in Washington, DC, calling the government’s conduct “the height of arbitrary and capricious government conduct.” He added, “If Revolution Wind cannot meet benchmark deadlines, the entire project could collapse. There is no doubt in my mind of irreparable harm to the plaintiffs.”

Ørsted welcomed the ruling and said in a statement, “Revolution Wind will continue to seek to work collaboratively with the US Administration and other stakeholders toward a prompt resolution. Revolution Wind will resume impacted construction work as soon as possible, with safety as the top priority.”

The decision marks a significant setback for the Trump administration’s attempts to stall offshore wind development. Revolution Wind is already about 80% complete, with all turbine foundations and 45 of 65 turbines successfully installed, and expected to power 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Earlier this month, the two states’ attorneys general announced they were suing the Trump administration to overturn its “baseless” decision to halt Revolution Wind. That underlying lawsuit challenging the stop-work order will continue to progress.

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Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock said, “Today’s decision allowing work to resume on Revolution Wind is welcome news for the hundreds of skilled workers who can now return to their jobs while the legal process continues. This Made in America energy project is putting Americans to work building reliable, affordable power to communities across New England that desperately need it.”

Read more: Connecticut, Rhode Island sue Trump to save 80% complete offshore wind farm


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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.

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