The Kia EV5 and its cool bench seat may never come to the US
The Kia EV5 was first announced in concept form last month. Today, Kia is releasing more details on the production version at its EV Day event in Korea. Nearly everything on paper about the car sounds great: a boxy, mid-sized electric SUV designed to comfortably seat five with 330 miles of range and attractive pricing. The EV5 will start around $35,000 for the basic FWD model and go up to $50,000 in the top-tier long range AWD trim. That pricing appears to be a global estimate from Kia’s CEO, according to InsideEVs, who attended the launch — so don’t take this as an indicator of US pricing. Unfortunately, Kia is signaling that the Inflation Reduction Act means the car may never come to the US at all (more on that later).
The EV5 shares the same E-GMP platform underpinning the Kia EV6 and EV9, and comes equipped with a 64Wh battery as standard, offering 330 miles of range. Long-range FWD and AWD trims will get 88kWh, with ranges of 447 and 403 miles, respectively. Note that these ranges are based on China’s CLTC testing, so comparability to US EPA or European WLTP ratings isn’t exactly clear (CLTC is frequently quite generous compared to both, so adjust your expectations accordingly).
| Kia EV5 | FWD | Long range FWD | Long range AWD |
| Range | 330 miles (CLTC) | 447 miles (CLTC) | 403 miles (CLTC) |
| Battery | 64kWh | 88kWh | 88kWh |
| Power | 214 hp | 214 hp | 308 hp |
Unlike the EV6 and EV9, the EV5 will not use 800-volt architecture, instead opting for a 400-volt system. Kia basically says this is a cost management measure, so that’s not surprising, but it is a bit disappointing to anyone who had hoped the brand would bring 800-volt all the way down the portfolio. While Kia isn’t offering detailed charging specifications, they’re claiming a 30-80% charge time of 27 minutes on DC fast charging at a peak of around 150kW. That’s a heck of a lot slower than the EV6, which can manage 10-80% in just 19 minutes under optimal conditions. The base EV5 and long-range FWD models will both make 214 hp from a single motor, with the long-range AWD upping that to 308 hp with its dual motor layout. (Note: These are China market figures. Korean market variants will have 58kWh and 81kWh batteries and make slightly different power — Kia is tailoring battery sizes to perceived market need.)
The interior of the EV5 is a dead ringer for the larger EV9, and that’s nothing to complain about. Fabric and vegan leather will be the seating surfaces of choice, and the design brings the understated futurism that Kia is increasingly synonymous with. The most interesting thing going on inside the EV5, though, is the front bench seat — yes, you read that right — a China market exclusive. Presumably, global market variants will offer some kind of center console and armrest area in place of the bench, but color us envious of Chinese customers here.
The biggest shock about the EV5? A car that practically seems to be begging for a US launch may not ever see the light of day in the world’s dominant SUV market. According to multiple outlets who were there to hear it, Kia is signaling that the Inflation Reduction Act makes a US launch unlikely, given the car will be manufactured in Korea and China — making it ineligible for the EV tax credit in America. While Kia is not definitively saying a US EV5 is off the table, the writing seems to be on the wall: The aforementioned outlets are citing internal sources at Kia claiming there will be no US sales of the vehicle. But it sounds like the ink’s not dry on any of this just yet, so we’ll wait and see what the definitive statement on US availability ends up being. And given Kia isn’t planning to launch the EV5 globally until 2025, they’ve got plenty of time to decide.
Kia hasn’t published full specifications of the EV5 yet, so overall dimensions, weight, and specific charging data aren’t available. One final thing to note: Kia says a GT trim EV5 is on the way, so expect a much quicker version of this vehicle to be announced sometime later.
Electrek’s Take
The slightly disappointing 400-volt architecture aside, the EV5 looks to be a compelling package. A very modern interior, Kia’s bold exterior design language, and a boxy layout to optimize for cargo space all seem destined to make the EV5 a hit globally. And if that starting pricing around $35,000 ends up panning out, it’s going to be pretty competitive on value when compared to similar ICE SUVs. Kia has always priced aggressively, and it’s great to see them continue bringing that to the table with their electrified portfolio.
That a US launch may never get off the ground is a real bummer. Americans love a small SUV (or, as the rest of the world would say: a mid-size SUV), and the EV5 would slot perfectly into a highly competitive space. Even without federal tax credits, if Kia could get close to $35,000 for this car, it’s hard to see how they wouldn’t move units — especially given the brand’s reputation is at an all-time high. As someone who personally considered Kia an “also-ran” to Hyundai and Genesis for years: Oh, how the tables have turned.
While it doesn’t sound like a US launch is definitively not happening, it’s clear which direction Kia is leaning based on the reporting so far. Hopefully they start leaning the other way if they see American consumers clamoring for the EV5.
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Believe it or not, you can lease an EV for under $200 a month. New deals on models like the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 are hard to pass up this month.
Electric vehicles have been all over the news lately, with the Trump administration threatening to end federal incentives and introducing new tariffs that are expected to lead to higher prices.
On the positive side, new EV models are arriving, giving buyers more options and driving prices down. Many automakers reported record US electric car sales in the first three months of 2024.
GM remained the number two seller of EVs behind Tesla after sales doubled in Q1 2025. With the new Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs rolling out, Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is off to its best sales start since launching, with over 11,600 models sold in the first quarter.
With the 2025 models rolling out and about 15 new EVs arriving this year, many automakers are introducing steep discounts to move vehicles off the lot.
EVs for lease for under $200 a month in April
Although the decade-old Nissan LEAF remains one of the most affordable this April at just $149 per month, there are a few EVs under $200 right now that are worth taking a look at.
The new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ might be the best EV deal this month, with leases as low as $199. Hyundai is currently promoting a 24-month lease deal with $3,999 due at signing.
Hyundai upgraded the electric SUV with a bigger battery for more range (now up to 318 miles), a sleek new look inside and out, and it now comes with an NACS port so you can charge it at Tesla Superchargers.
The offer is for the IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range, which has a driving range of up to 245 miles. For just $229 a month, you can snag the SE RWD model, which has a range of up to 318 miles and a more powerful (225 horsepower) electric motor. It’s also a 24-month lease with $3,999 due at signing.
To sweeten the deal, Hyundai is offering a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger with the purchase or lease of any 2024 or 2025 IONIQ 5. If you already have one, you can opt for a $400 public charging credit.
After slashing lease prices this month, the 2025 Nissan Ariya is actually cheaper than the LEAF in some regions. In Southern California, the 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD is listed at just $129 per month. The AWD model has a range of up to 272 miles.
The deal is for 36 months, with $4,409 due at signing. In April, Nissan cut Ariya lease prices to around $239 in most other parts of the country.
Kia has a few EVs available to lease for under $200 a month in April. The 2025 Kia Niro EV Wind is listed at just $129 for 24 months, with $3,999 due at signing. Kia’s crossover SUV has EPA-estimated range of 253 miles.
The 2024 EV6 may be worth considering at just $179 for 24 months ($3,999 due at signing). In California, the EV6 Light Long Range RWD is only slightly more than the Niro Wind.
In most other parts of the country, you can still find the EV6 for under $200 a month. The Light Long Range RWD trim offers up to 310 miles of EPA-estimated range.
| Lease Price | Term (months) |
Amount Due at Signing | Driving Range | |
| 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | $199 | 24 | $3,999 | 245 miles |
| 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Rang RWD | $179 | 24 | $3,999 | 310 miles |
| 2024 Kia Niro EV Wind | $129 | 24 | $3,999 | 253 miles |
| 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD | $129 | 36 | $4,409 | 272 miles |
| 2025 Nissan LEAF S FWD | $149 | 36 | $2,629 | 149 miles |
| 2024 Fiat 500 INSPI(RED) | $199 | 24 | $2,999 | 149 miles |
And don’t forget the 2024 Fiat 500e, which is now listed at just $199 for 24 months with $2,999 due at signing. The electric hatchback offers a range of up to 149 miles.
If you are looking to spend a little more, check out our list of EVs you can lease for under $300 a month.
Ready to snag the savings while they are still here? At under $200 a month, some of these EV lease deals are hard to pass up right now. Check out our links below to find deals in your area.
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![The US’s first solar panels over canals pilot is now online [video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Project-Nexus-solar-canal.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Project Nexus, the first solar panel canopies over irrigation canals in the US, is now online in California, and there are plans to expand the project to other areas.
Project Nexus is a $20 million pilot in central California’s Turlock Irrigation District launched in October 2022. The project team is exploring solar over canal design, deployment, and co-benefits using canal infrastructure and the electrical grid.
India already has solar panels over canals, but Project Nexus is the first of its kind in the US.
The Turlock Irrigation District was the first irrigation district formed in California in 1887. It provides irrigation water to 4,700 growers who farm around 150,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley.
Project Nexus will explore whether the solar panels reduce water evaporation as a result of midday shade and wind mitigation, create improvements to water quality through reduced vegetative growth, reduce canal maintenance as a result of reduced vegetative growth, and, of course, generate renewable electricity.
The California Department of Water Resources, utility company Turlock Irrigation District, Marin County, California-based water and energy project developer Solar AquaGrid, and The University of California, Merced, are partnering on the pilot. Project Nexus originated from a 2021 research project led by UC Merced alumna and project scientist Brandi McKuin.
Solar panels were installed at two sites over both wide- and narrow-span sections of Turlock Irrigation District canals in Stanislaus County, in various orientations. The sections range from 20 feet wide to 100 feet wide. University of California, Merced has positioned research equipment at both sites to collect baseline data so the researchers can decide where solar will work and where it won’t.
In February 2023, Project Nexus announced it would also deploy long-term iron flow battery storage in the form of two ESS 75kW turnkey “Energy Warehouse” batteries.
You can learn more about Project Nexus here:
Read more: In a US first, California will pilot solar-panel canopies over canals
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