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If you want to try an EV out before getting locked into a long-term contract, there’s an option for you. EV micro leases are taking off, giving shoppers added flexibility with new models launching next year.

Are you waiting for that new electric SUV coming out next year? Or, perhaps, you don’t want to commit to a long-term contract.

Either way, EV micro leases may be an option for you. In October, Polestar launched its Flexible Lease program. The new option eliminates the worst part of leasing a vehicle – being locked in.

Polestar is making it easier than ever for you to try out an EV before committing to a long-term contract. The Flexible Lease program allows you to end the lease after five months (and five payments) with no early termination penalty (there is a $450 disposition fee).

Through the program, the 2024 Polestar 2 Long Rang Single Motor variant is available to lease for $349 per month for up to 24 months. That’s with $5,349 due at signing.

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2024 Polestar 2 (Source: Polestar)

The Polestar 2 Long Range features up to 320 miles range and 205 kW DC fast charging. Gregor Hembrough, head of Polestar North America, explained that the new program allows “customers to lease a Polestar vehicle with the flexibility not normally permitted by a traditional lease.”

This makes it a “great option for customers new to EVs or those looking to bridge the gap as they await a Polestar 2, Polestar 3, or Polestar 4 on order.”

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Polestar 3 electric SUV (Source: Polestar)

Polestar adds flexibility with EV micro leases

“Let’s put it this way: It’s an extended test drive,” Hembrough explained. With several highly anticipated electric models like the Polestar 3, Chevy Equinox, next-gen Hyundai IONIQ 5, and more coming next year, Hembrough said Polestar had to “step up to the plate.”

With many customer leases expiring, Polestar’s EV micro lease offers that “bridge” for those waiting for new models.

Although the short-term car lease is not new, it’s being re-introduced as the auto industry shifts to electric.

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Polestar 3 (left) Polestar 4 (right) (Source: Polestar)

Polestar isn’t alone, either. AutoNation, which runs around 250 US dealerships, also recently began offering micro leases in six or 12-month options. Ivan Mihov, vice president of mobility, said, “The three-year lease doesn’t work for everybody.”

“With EVs in particular, obviously, there are a lot of people on the fence,” Mihov added. The short-term lease option allows buyers to try it before getting into a long-term commitment.

Since launching its flexible lease program, around half of Polestar buyers have enrolled. Hembrough admits that “100% of my customers are conquests,” meaning the EV maker needs to get creative to win customers.

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Polestar 2 (Source: Polestar)

Polestar says it will extend the program to its upcoming Polestar 3 and 4 models. Andy Axelrod, who manages retail programs and subscriptions at Volvo Car USA, said he expects participation to increase with the EX30 and EX90 rolling out next year.

The Polestar 3 will begin production in early 2024, with deliveries expected to begin in Q2. It will feature up to 300 miles range with a starting price of around $85,000.

Electrek’s Take

Polestar was smart to introduce a short-term lease option. For one, it’s a new brand in the US with a product that’s still new to many shoppers.

By offering micro leases, Polestar is getting buyers into its vehicles. If you’ve ever driven an EV, you know that’s all it takes to never go back to a gas-powered vehicle again. Polestar understands this, too, and believes its EVs will help in the industry’s transition.

A big reason Polestar is able to do this is through a loophole in the IRA’s EV tax credit that enables automakers to pass on the $7,500 through leasing.

Although short-term leases didn’t work for automakers like Audi, BMW, Cadillac, and Ford, it’s a new era, and buyers are looking to test the latest technology. It can be an expensive program to run, but to get buyers into a new vehicle, it may just be worth it.

Source: Bloomberg

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Hyundai is temporarily halting IONIQ 5 and Kona EV production in Korea

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Hyundai is temporarily halting IONIQ 5 and Kona EV production in Korea

Hyundai is shutting down a production line at its Ulsan plant in Korea, where the IONIQ 5 and Kona EV are built. Although it’s only for a few days, the move comes as the automaker faces slower exports.

Why is Hyundai pausing EV production in Korea?

For the third time this year, Hyundai is planning to pause production of some of its most popular EV models in Korea.

Industry sources said on May 20 (via Newsis) that Hyundai will shut down Line 2 at its Ulsan plant in Korea, where it builds the IONIQ 5 and Kona Electric. The pause will start on May 27 and end on May 30.

Despite launching a new discount campaign in Korea earlier this month, offering over $4,300 (6 million won) in savings on the IONIQ 5, sales are still lagging. In particular, Hyundai has exported significantly fewer IONIQ 5 models this year.

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Through April, Hyundai exported just 9,663 IONIQ 5s, down from 27,476 sold overseas in the same period last year.

Kona EV exports have also fallen sharply. Through April 2025, Hyundai shipped just 3,428 Kona EV models, down 42% from nearly 6,000 last year.

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 refresh in Korea (Source: Hyundai)

According to the report, Hyundai said in an internal note, “The sluggish sales in the global electric vehicle market have not improved,” adding, “We have made every effort to secure additional orders, but we are currently unable to secure the quantity.”

Following a temporary halt in February and April, this will be Hyundai’s third time pausing EV production in Korea this year.

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Hyundai Kona Electric N Line (Source: Hyundai)

In a turn of events, Hyundai’s joint venture in China, Beijing Hyundai, announced losses improved by over 100 million won ($72 million) in Q1. With its first custom-tailored electric SUV launching in China later this year, Beijing Hyundai could turn a profit by the end of 2025.

The Korean automaker reported its seventh consecutive record sales month in the US. The IONIQ 5 remains a top seller with over 12,000 units sold through April, up 14% from last year.

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Hyundai IONIQ 9 three-row electric SUV (Source: Hyundai)

IONIQ 6 sales, on the other hand, are down 10% this year, with 4,424 sold through April, and Hyundai doesn’t give a breakdown for Kona EV sales.

Hyundai is also offering generous discounts in the US right now with up to $12,500 in upfront savings on the new three-row IONIQ 9. The 2025 IONIQ 5 is a steal with leases starting at just $209 per month.

Ready to try out Hyundai’s electric vehicles for yourself? We’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to find popular Hyundai EV models in your area.

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Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful’ bill will cause a US energy shortage – SEIA

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Trump's 'Big, Beautiful' bill will cause a US energy shortage – SEIA

The US solar industry just raised the alarm over the GOP’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” warning it could kneecap America’s energy future and trigger a massive power shortage in its current form.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is warning that legislation recently passed by the House Ways and Means Committee could shut down or prevent nearly 300 solar and battery storage factories from opening. If this bill becomes law without changes, the US could lose enough solar generation by 2030 to power the state of Pennsylvania for a year. That’s 145,000 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity that could vanish.

The SEIA analysis paints a grim picture: Nearly 300,000 US jobs are at risk, including 86,000 in solar manufacturing alone. And here’s the twist, as I’ve pointed out before – about 80% of the jobs and factories at risk are in red states that voted for Trump.

“There is still time to improve this bill, which, as written, represents a crisis for America’s ability to build the energy infrastructure we need to meet surging demand,” said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper.

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The SEIA says the legislation would slam the brakes on solar and storage investments just as energy demand is soaring, thanks partly to the explosion in AI and data centers. SEIA estimates the bill could wipe out $220 billion in potential investments by 2030.

The House bill also repeals the Section 25D residential solar tax credit, which has been a critical driver of solar adoption for middle-class families. Without it, installing solar gets way more expensive – and out of reach for many households.

As Electrek reported last week, solar and wind accounted for almost 98% of new US electrical generating capacity added in Q1 2025, according to new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) data.

Solar and wind also made up an impressive 100% of new capacity in March, and March was the 19th consecutive month in which solar was the largest source of new capacity.

The US needs to add 206.5 gigawatts of new energy capacity by 2030. Solar is expected to deliver nearly three-quarters of that. If the bill guts solar incentives, we’re looking at higher electricity bills and slower economic growth. SEIA says the rollback could drive up consumer energy costs by $51 billion.

Hopper didn’t mince words: “Passing this bill would create a catastrophic energy shortfall, cede AI and tech leadership to China, and damage some of the most vital sectors of the US economy.”

She added that the Senate can still step in with a smarter proposal that aligns with Trump’s push for US energy dominance.

SEIA’s message to lawmakers? Fix the bill or energy production will plummet, blackouts will become more frequent, and the US will face a devastating – and completely avoidable – energy shortage.

Read more: The House draft budget kills the 30% residential solar tax credit


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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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Lucid Gravity flexes its power at the Nürburgring alongside other upcoming EVs [Video]

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Lucid Gravity flexes its power at the Nürburgring alongside other upcoming EVs [Video]

Lucid’s Gravity is a three-row electric SUV, but it’s faster than most sports cars. Boasting up to 828 hp, the luxury SUV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. The Lucid Gravity was spotted ripping around the Nürburgring track in Germany, showing off its power and agility. Check it out in the videos below.

Lucid Gravity hits the Nürburgring for testing

As it ramps up production of its first electric SUV, Lucid is preparing for another big year of growth. Last week, Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, told Bloomberg that the company would enter new parts of Europe and the Middle East this year.

Two Lucid Gravity test vehicles with European test plates were recently spotted testing at the Nürburgring, hinting that an official launch could be coming soon.

In a video from StateSideSuperCars posted last week, you can catch a glimpse of the Gravity (skip to 9:45) showing off its agility, handling, and control as it rips around the race track.

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Another video, courtesy of EMS Sport TV, shows the Gravity test vehicle alongside several other current and upcoming EV models, including BMW’s Neue Klasse SUV, Mercedes CLA EV, and what appears to be the Kia EV4 sedan.

Lucid Gravity electric SUV testing at Nürburgring (Source: StateSideSuperCars)

During the Gravity’s “Celestial Arrival” in March, Winterhoff said Gravity deliveries would resume by the end of April. Lucid delivered the first models in December 2024, but those were for family, friends, and employees.

The Lucid Gravity Grand Touring is available to order in the US. Prices start at $94,900 with up to 450 miles of range. Later this year, Lucid will launch the Gravity Touring model, starting at $79,900.

Lucid Gravity electric SUV testing at Nürburgring (Source: EMSSportTV)

On Lucid’s website, the Gravity SUV is still unavailable to order in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, or Norway.

The Lucid Gravity Grand Touring and Touring models are available in Saudi Arabia, starting at SAR 487,715 ($130,000) and SAR 416,645 ($111,000), respectively.

Another luxury electric SUV was recently spotted at the Nürburgring. The “ultra-luxe” Genesis GV90 was caught with less camo, giving us our best look at the upcoming flagship SUV.

Source: Lucidowners.com

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