Kia launched its new EV5 electric SUV in China Friday. With a starting price of around $20K (149,800 yuan), the EV5 is expected to take on market leaders, including Tesla’s Model Y.
Can Kia compete in the world’s largest EV market? The South Korean automaker hopes to achieve that with its new compact electric SUV.
Kia officially unveiled the EV5 in August as a family-friendly electric SUV. After opening pre-orders in China on August 25, Kia revealed prices would be much lower than expected.
Although local reports expected starting prices of around $40,000 (300,000 yuan), Kia is launching the EV5 at half that.
The EV5 officially launched Wednesday with a starting price of $20,700 (149,800 yuan). That significantly undercuts the Tesla’s Model Y, starting at 266,400 yuan ($37,000).
At 4,615 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,715 mm tall, the EV5 will compete directly with the Model Y (L – 4,760 mm, W – 1,921 mm, H – 1,624 mm).
Kia’s electric SUV will compete with low-cost EVs from leaders like BYD. BYD is dominating the market with affordable EVs like the Dolphin electric hatchback and Yuan Plus.
The Dolphin starts at around $17,000 (126,800 yuan), while the Yuan Plus is priced at $19,000 (139,800 yuan).
Kia launches $20K EV5 to take on BYD, Tesla
Influenced by its flagship EV9’s design, the EV5 “brings a new era of electric mobility to the compact SUV sector to meet the needs of millennial families.”
The EV5 features Kia’s new “Opposites United” design, including a rugged, boxy exterior with powerful fenders.
You will notice the new “Tiger Face” up front, replacing Kia’s signature “Tiger Nose” grille. The vehicle’s three-dimensional “Star Map Lighting” further emphasizes the SUV’s aggressive design.
Since millennials use their SUV as an “additional room,” according to Kia, the EV5’s interior is designed to be more like a home lounge. A pushed-back D-pillar extends the interior space. Meanwhile, the folding rear bench provides ultimate flexibility with additional storage under the floor.
Equipped with Kia’s connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), the EV5 features a panoramic wide display. This includes a dual 12.3″ cluster and infotainment and a 5″ climate control display.
Kia kept the interior simple with few buttons, resulting in a minimalist feel. Instead, four hidden hard keys are held under the central AVNT screen.
Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the EV5 will come in three variations: standard, long-range, and long-range AWD.
The standard Kia EV5 trim, starting at around $20K, is equipped with a 64.2 kWh BYD Blade battery pack and 160 kW motor, providing up to 530 km (329 miles) CLTC range. The long-range model features an 88.1 kWh battery for up to 720 km (447 miles) CLTC range.
That’s not too far off from Tesla’s Model Y. The Model Y RWD, starting at 266,400 yuan ($37K), features 554 km (344 miles) CLTC range. The Model Y long-range, starting at 302,400 yuan ($42K), includes up to 544 km (338 miles) range.
Electrek’s Take
Kia’s new electric SUV could play a significant role as the automaker looks to expand in the biggest EV market globally.
At nearly half the cost, Kia’s EV5 is aimed at rival market leaders like Tesla’s Model Y. It will also take on low-cost competitors like the BYD Dolphin and Yuan Plus EVs.
The only thing Kia needs to work on now is bringing the EV5 overseas to the US. Kia’s flagship EV9 will hit US dealerships by the end of the year, but a smaller, cheaper option could sell with affordable EVs like the current Bolt EV, being retired at the end of the year.
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For the second time, a judge strikes down Elon Musk’s $55 billion Tesla CEO pay package as the company struggles to avoid seeing its sales slip year over year for the first time. Plus: an all-new look for Jaguar this Giving Tuesday on Quick Charge!
We’ve also got record EV sales from both Kia and Hyundai, with the latter seeing IONIQ 5 sales double over last year, more Tesla discounts in China AND North America, and more.
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“Tesla could not meet program standards” on Oklahoma’s NEVI EV charger installation program, so EVgo took over.
As Electrek originally reported in April, Oklahoma approved more than $8 million in federal funds for Tesla, Love’s Travel Stops, and Francis Energy to build DC fast chargers along its interstates.
The three companies were to provide a combined $7 million in private funding match to build 13 DC fast charging stations. The first round of awards would complete the buildout of I-35, I-40, and I-44 as Alternative Fuel Corridors.
Tesla was supposed to install three Superchargers at the I-44 exit 240 in Catoosa, the I-40 exit 240B in Henryetta, and the I-44 exit 125B in Oklahoma City. In order to qualify for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program funding, they had to be equipped with Magic Docks – that is, CCS compatibility.
However, OK Energy Today reports that Oklahoma Transportation Commissioners unanimously approved replacing Tesla with second-place EVgo yesterday.
Jared Schennesen, multi-modal division manager to the nine commissioners, said:
Tesla could not meet program standards for the gap awarded along I-44 in Oklahoma City.
Due to not meeting the program requirements, ODOT required that the award be revoked from Tesla as direct[ed] by state procurement rules and awarded to second-place finisher EVgo for this gap.
Schennesen didn’t specify exactly how Tesla couldn’t meet the program standards, but the article goes on to note that EVgo reduced its costs considerably compared to what Tesla’s project costs were:
EVgo won the award for a total of $519,740, and Schennesen said it reduced the total project cost by $317,932. The federal share of the project will increase by $201,781 bringing the final total to $801,780.
EVgo has more than 1,000 DC fast charging locations in 40 states and serves over 65 metropolitan areas.
Oklahoma’s NEVI EV charger installation program, EVOK, is responsible for spending $66 million from 2022-27 in NEVI Formula Program funds to create a state EV charging network. The federal NEVI program allocates $5 billion over five years to help US states create a network of EV charging stations. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The NEVI program requires EV charging stations to be available every 50 miles and within one travel mile of the Alternative Fuel Corridor. EV charging stations must include at least four ports with connectors capable of simultaneously charging four EVs at 150 kilowatts (kW) each, with a total station power capacity of 600 kW or more.
The charging stations must have 24-hour public accessibility and provide amenities like restrooms, food and beverage, and shelter.
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The US Department of Energy (DOE) says it will loan up to $7.54 billion to a Stellantis and Samsung SDI joint venture to help build two EV lithium-ion battery plants in Indiana.
Stellantis + Samsung EV battery plants loan
The joint venture is called StarPlus Energy LLC, and its huge project will create huge job growth: at least 2,800 jobs at the plants, plus hundreds more for parts suppliers at a nearby park.
At full capacity, the plants will produce about 67 GWh of batteries for Stellantis EVs in Kokomo, enough to supply about 670,000 vehicles annually, the DOE’s Loan Programs Office said. Stellantis said yesterday that the first plant will open in early 2025 and the second in 2027.
To secure the loan, StarPlus needs to implement its Community Benefits Plan, which includes working with community and labor leaders to create well-paying jobs. It’s unclear whether the loan will be able to be finalized before Donald Trump takes office on January 20, but according to the Associated Press, the DOE said “it would be irresponsible for ‘any government to turn its back on private sector partners, states, and communities that are benefiting from lower energy costs and new economic opportunities’ from the loans.”
Electrek’s Take
Since Trump is threatening tariffs all over the place to stimulate domestic manufacturing, it would be pretty dumb if he attempted to kill this loan. The DOE anticipates this and makes a point of saying in its announcement that “the project will greatly expand EV battery manufacturing capacity in North America and reduce America’s reliance on adversarial foreign nations like China, as well as other foreign sourcing of EV batteries.”
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. 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. They have 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 Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
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