After launching the EV9 last fall, Kia’s first three-row electric SUV is already outselling the Toyota bZ4X. Kia EV9 sales nearly doubled that of Toyota’s electric SUV in its first full month on the US market.
Kia opened EV9 pre-orders in October after seeing “significant consumer interest,” according to the brand’s VP of sales, Eric Watson.
Less than two months later, the EV9 received reservations in all 50 US states. Kia calls the EV9’s $54,900 starting price an industry “wake-up call.” At 197.2″ long, the EV9 is slightly bigger than the Telluride but has the same height and width.
Kia says the EV9 features “true SUV capabilities” with over 81 cubic feet of cargo space (behind the first row), up to 5,000 lbs towing capacity, and seating for seven adults.
Despite its boxy design, the EV9 features a drag coefficient of 0.28. This enables the electric SUV to get up to 304 EPA-est miles range. With 350 kW DC fast charging, the EV9 can charge from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes to get you back on the road quickly.
Inside, the EV9 includes Kia’s next-gen ccNC infotainment. This includes dual 12.3″ screens and a 5″ HVAC screen.
Kia builds the EV9 in South Korea, but production is slated to move to its West Point, GA facility this year.
Kia EV9 tops Toyota’s bZ4X in US December sales
Kia and Hyundai reported new sales records last year as EV demand continues building. Kia sold 18,879 EV6 electric cars in 2023, down from 20,498 in 2022.
Meanwhile, Kia expects the EV9 launch to jumpstart the brand’s momentum. ” Sean Yoon, Kia America CEO, said, “Groundbreaking vehicles like our new flagship EV9 EV three-row SUV showcase Kia’s unique ability to elevate expectations and push boundaries.”
Yoon added, “We intend to accelerate our growth trajectory in 2024” with new models like the EV9.
Kia EV9 sales reached 1,113 in the US last month. That’s 444 more than the 669 bZ4X models Toyota sold in December. Sales of Toyota’s electric SUV were only up 9.6% YOY despite overall sales rising over 22%.
Hyundai Motor (including Kia and Genesis) plans to be a top three EV producer by the end of the decade. By producing unique, functional EVs, the South Korean automakers are gaining ground in the US market.
Eletrek’s Take
While Toyota has stuck to its hybrid approach, including gas-powered hybrids, Kia and Hyundai are doubling down on EVs.
The South Korean automakers are achieving record growth on the back of their unique EV models. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and Kia’s EV6 and EV9 are dedicated EVs built on the brand’s E-GMP platform.
Hyundai and Kia are already gearing up for next-gen EVs with a new dedicated “eM” platform due out in 2025. The brand’s new IMA system “encompasses nearly all vehicle classes, ranging from small and large SUVs to pickup trucks,” Chang said.
In 2030, Hyundai plans to build 3.64 million EVs annually with 31 electric models from the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s bZ4X uses the company’s e-TNGA platform, a modified architecture that shares parts with gas-powered vehicles.
Toyota’s first dedicated EV platform is expected to launch in 2026. Despite big claims of next-gen battery tech and other advancements to boost range and cut costs, Toyota still has little to show.
On the other hand, Hyundai will be a brand to keep an eye on as the industry shifts to electric.
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Leading electric vehicle analyst, author, and industry thought leaders Loren McDonald and Bill Ferro stop by Quick Charge to discuss EV Adoption’s acquisition by Paren, the “crisis” of EV charging reliability, and the real state of the EV market.
Depending on who you listen, EVs are either driving brands to record growth and are about cross that critical 10% of the overall market nationwide, or the future is bleak, the market is down, and EVs just aren’t selling. What’s really going on? Loren and Bill (probably) have some answers.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Click here to learn more.
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Chevy EV owners in Texas who have Reliant as their electric utility can now charge for free at night with renewable energy.
Over 150 Chevrolet dealerships across Texas are now offering the Reliant Free Charge Nights plan to new EV buyers. With Free Charge Nights, customers can offset their charging costs by receiving credits for electricity used between 11 pm and 6 am. The plan is powered entirely by renewable energy, thanks to the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Rasesh Patel, president of NRG Consumer, says the plan is about making power personal: “We’re excited to help Chevrolet EV drivers offset the cost of charging their vehicle all while having access to a renewable electricity plan.”
This collaboration aims to make EV adoption more appealing by making charging cheaper and greener. GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, Aseem Kapur, emphasized that partnerships like this help build the ecosystem needed to support an all-electric future: “The Reliant Free Charge Nights plan is a great example of how an automaker and an energy company can work together to make EV adoption an easy decision.”
Existing Reliant customers can also sign up for the Free Charge Nights plan. To get started, Chevrolet EV owners need to designate their vehicle on the GM Energy Smart Charging Portal before enrolling in the plan.
Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, serves over 1.5 million customers in Texas, making it one of the largest electricity providers in the state.
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Texas is about to get a major power boost – a new AI-powered virtual power plant (VPP) delivering capacity equivalent to 200,000 homes during peak demand.
NRG Energy is teaming up with Renew Home to bring nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity to the Texas grid by 2035, aiming to make it more resilient while helping residents save on energy costs.
The new VPP will rely on hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats and other connected home devices, making use of AI technology provided by Google Cloud. These devices, like Vivint and Nest smart thermostats, will be offered to eligible customers at no cost. By automating HVAC adjustments, they help shift energy use to when electricity is cheaper, cleaner, and less strained.
NRG and Renew Home have big plans for the VPP. Starting in spring 2025, the companies plan to roll out the program across Texas, installing these smart thermostats in homes served by NRG’s retail electricity providers. Eventually, they plan to add home battery storage and EVs to expand the power plant’s capabilities.
Texas has faced record-breaking energy demands, with peak usage hitting 85 GW in 2023. As the state’s population grows and extreme weather becomes more frequent, VPPs like this one could play a key role in stabilizing the grid. VPPs aggregate a lot of small-scale energy resources, from smart thermostats to home batteries, and use them to help balance supply and demand during times of high stress on the grid.
This nearly 1 GW VPP will be one of the largest of its kind in Texas. NRG’s president of consumer operations, Rasesh Patel, calls it a “pivotal step” for improving customer experience while making Texas’ energy infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
In addition to Renew Home, NRG is working with Google Cloud to maximize the power plant’s effectiveness. Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools will help predict weather conditions, forecast renewable generation, and optimize energy usage, all of which will help make energy management smoother for both customers and the grid.
Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home, said:
NRG’s commitment to creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future while also making electricity bills more affordable makes them an ideal partner for co-developing this unique VPP program.
This initiative raises the bar for future-proofing our electricity infrastructure and delivering cost savings to customers.
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