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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Environment
Tesla is starting to have Model Y inventory in the US again, ramps up incentives in China/Europe
Tesla is starting to replenish its Model Y inventory in the US after the design changeover, and it is ramping up incentives in China and Europe, suggesting that demand issues persist despite the new Model Y’s introduction.
After Tesla’s disastrous first quarter, shareholders attempted to blame the company’s issues on the transition to the new Model Y, which resulted in limited supply and buyers delaying their deliveries.
There’s no doubt that it impacted Tesla’s performance in Q1, but there were also other clear demand issues.
The automaker stated that it successfully resumed Model Y production to normal levels in record time. Therefore, Model Y supply can’t be blamed going forward and there are reasons to be concerned.
Earlier this month, we reported that Tesla was already able to deliver new Model Y on the same day in the US and was operating a sort of shadow inventory without actually listing new inventory Model Y.
Now, Tesla has officially started to add new inventory Model Ys in the US – confirming that it doesn’t have a backlog of orders for the updated vehicle:
It’s challenging to determine the exact number of new Model Y vehicles Tesla has in stock.
The website Tesla-Info tracks new vehicle listings in the US, but Tesla only lists configurations available in specific markets. After depleting the inventory of the older version of the Model Y in late March, Tesla is now listing 93 new Model Ys in the US:
However, for any of those listings, there could be several Model Ys in inventory, especially considering that Tesla currently has a limited number of options for the new Model Ys.
Tesla’s Model Y configurations also lists most configurations as being available today in most major US markets. This again points to Tesla having no order backlog for the brand-new vehicle.
At least, Tesla has yet to introduce incentives to sell the vehicle in the US, but it does in other markets.
We previously reported that Tesla quickly introduced 0% financing for the new Model Y in China. The incentive was initially scheduled to end this month, but Tesla has now extended it through June 30th, the end of the quarter.
Tesla is having even more issues in Europe, where its sales are crashing. The automaker is also struggling to sell some older Model Ys from its inventory.
Tesla produced about 30,000 more vehicles than it delivered in the first quarter, and it increased its inventory by $1.7 billion.
Electrek’s Take
Some people think that I’m happy to see this, but they couldn’t be more wrong. I’m just emphasizing it because recognizing the problem is the first step toward fixing it, and I want it to be fixed.
The biggest EV automaker failing is not good for EV adoption, and Tesla is going in that direction.
Tesla shareholders need to recognize that the Model Y refresh is not saving Tesla. Sales have been declining since last year, while electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to increase in most markets.
The combination of Elon Musk alienating half of Tesla’s potential customer base and Tesla’s stale lineup due to the focus on self-driving is resulting in an impossible situation for Tesla right now. Something needs to change.
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![Greenlane's flagship electric charging truck stop is now online [update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/GreenlaneColton1.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Greenlane, which is rolling out a US EV charging network for big rigs, just switched on its first electric truck stop in Colton, California.
April 24, 2025: The flagship facility, at the intersection of Interstates 215 and 10, was completed eight months after breaking ground. It’s got 41 OEM-agnostic chargers with 12 pull-through lanes and CCS 400 kW dual-port chargers with liquid-cooled cables. They’re built to handle big Class 8 electric rigs with ease. Twenty-nine bobtail lanes feature CCS 180 kW chargers.
Colton offers a spacious lounge with food and drinks, a water refill station, and restrooms. There’s free wifi, mobile charging stations, and 24/7 customer support. Security includes round-the-clock on-site attendants, security cameras, gated access, and enhanced lighting. Office space is available for leasing, and there’s overnight truck and trailer parking.
It’s the first of several electric charging truck stops planned for the company’s I-15 commercial EV charging corridor. Greenlane plans to expand its network with future sites expected roughly every 60 to 90 miles in Long Beach, Barstow, and Baker, California.
Greenlane has also secured its first commercial fleet customer, fully electric truckload carrier Nevoya, which will begin operating its fleet of electric trucks out of Colton early next month. Nevoya will use the charging infrastructure and occupy on-site office space. The two companies plan to scale the partnership to include up to 100 of Nevoya’s electric trucks.
Greenlane’s flagship electric charging truck stop
March 11, 2025: Builder and developer Mortenson is constructing the commercial EV charging facility in Colton, which broke ground last September. It will include more than 40 chargers when it comes online for heavy, medium, and light-duty EVs. In its next phase, Greenlane plans to deploy solar panels and battery storage to enhance grid stability, manage peak loads, and increase energy efficiency.
Greenlane’s pull-through lane chargers will be equipped with Alpitronic CCS 400 kW dual-port chargers featuring oil-cooled cables. That means faster charging without the bulk—these cables stay lightweight and easy to handle. For bobtail charging, eFill CCS 180 kW chargers will be available, bringing smart energy management to keep fleet operations running smoothly.
To keep everything in check, ABB’s SCADA system will handle remote monitoring and breaker management, boosting reliability and efficiency. Plus, Greenlane’s sites are built with Trenwa precast cable trench, making it easier to expand EV charging infrastructure and upgrade to megawatt charging as fleet demand grows.
Greenlane’s tech launch
Greenlane, a joint venture between Daimler Truck North America, NextEra Energy, and BlackRock, also debuted its branded digital technology suite as part of its ongoing development of the I-15 Commercial EV Charging Corridor. The products will be rolled out in phases.
Greenlane’s Chief Technology Officer, Raj Jhaveri, said, “Our technology helps maximize uptime and operational efficiency by ensuring vehicles are charged efficiently and ready to meet the demands of their freight schedules.”
The tech rollout includes an app that allows drivers to check charger availability and make reservations in advance, a fleet portal that enables fleet managers and dispatchers to plan and manage routes for their electric fleets, and a new Greenlane website.
Greenlane also now has OnRamp Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that integrate with existing fleet solutions, providing fleet managers and drivers access to optimized routes, efficient charging and refueling schedules, and related charging data and emissions savings.
Read more: Greenlane announces LA to LV charging corridor for commercial trucks
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VW’s US self-driving arm, Volkswagen ADMT (Autonomous Driving Mobility & Transport), is partnering with Uber to roll out thousands of autonomous ID. Buzz vans across the US over the next decade.
The plan kicks off in Los Angeles, with testing starting later this year and commercial rides expected to launch in 2026.
The ID. Buzz autonomous driving (AD) vans will have human operators onboard during early testing and launch phases to help fine-tune the tech and keep things safe. Each stage will only move forward once regulators give the green light.
Volkswagen’s mobility brand MOIA is supplying the vehicles and the AD software that’ll run them on Uber’s platform. It’s a full-stack approach to bringing self-driving EVs to ride-hailing, and another sign that the robotaxi race is heating up.
“Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer – we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision,” said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility.
In March 2024, Volkswagen became the first vehicle manufacturer to develop a Level 4 AD service vehicle for large-scale production. Level 4 AD means the car can handle most driving situations independently in a defined area, such as a city. It can also drive alone, without passengers.
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