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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.

Kia-EV9-sales-US
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)

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-sales-US
Kia EV9 GT-line interior (Source: Kia)

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%.

Kia-EV9-sales-US
Kia EV9 electric SUV models (Source: Kia)

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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Korea’s first electric pickup is already in high demand, and it’s not from Hyundai or Kia

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March 20, 2025

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Korea's first electric pickup is already in high demand, and it's not from Hyundai or Kia

Korea's-first-EV-pickup

The KGM Musso EV is Korea’s first electric pickup. It’s not from Hyundai or Kia. Launched earlier this month, the electric truck is already racking up orders. The Special Edition version sold out in under two hours. Meet the KGM Mussu EV.

Meet Korea’s first EV pickup, the KGM Musso EV

KG Mobility, or simply KGM, is a South Korean carmaker known for its rugged 4x4s, SUVs, and pickup trucks. On March 5, the company launched the Musso EV, Korea’s first fully electric pickup truck.

With the functionality of a pickup and the comfort of an SUV, the Musso EV is already drawing in buyers. KGM announced on Wednesday that the electric pickup secured over 3,200 orders in just two weeks. The “Musso EV Special Edition (SE) was sold out in an hour and a half.

The company is touting it as “a new alternative to mid-size SUVs” that can be used as an everyday family car with more interior space.

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Inside, the electric pickup adopts a “Slim & Wide” layout. At the center, a panoramic widescreen sits, with dual 12.3″ digital clusters and navigation screens.

Korea's-first-EV-pickup-interior
KGM Musso EV electric pickup truck interior (Source: KGM)

Other standard features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, ClearSite Ground View cameras, and a wireless phone charger.

You’ll have to pay extra for the Sunroof, 3D monitoring System, Utility Roof Rack, Skid Plates, or a premium Alpine audio system.

Korea's-first-EV-pickup
KM Musso EV electric pickup truck (Source: KGM)

Powered by an 86.6 kWh LFP battery, the electric pickup has nearly 250 miles (400 km) of driving range. With up to 200 kWh fast charging, the Musso EV can charge up to 80% in 24 minutes. It also includes V2L capabilities, enabling it to power up a worksite, camping setup, electronics, and more.

It’s available in both single (FWD) and dual-motor setups. The FWD version has a 152.2 kW front motor with up to 207 horsepower, while the AWD packs up to 413 horsepower.

The Musso EV can tow close to 4,000 lbs (1.8 tons) and includes a “trailer sway function” to help stabilize the vehicle.

At 5,160 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,740 mm tall, the Musso EV is about the size of a Ford Ranger (5,225 mm long, 1,910 mm wide, and 1,866 mm tall).

Korea’s first electric pickup starts at just 48 million won, or around $32,800. With incentives, KGM expects the actual purchase price to be around 39.62 million won ($27,000).

Korea's-first-EV-pickup
Korea's-first-EV-pickup

A KGM spokesperson said the electric Musso EV pickup is designed for a wide range of customers, adding, “We hope that it will break the electric vehicle chasm and continue to successfully establish itself in the market.”

Would you buy KGM’s EV pickup over the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1S, or Tesla Cybertruck? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Source: KGM

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Abu Dhabi’s ADQ and American private equity firm ECP make $25 billion bet on powering U.S. data centers

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4 hours ago

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March 20, 2025

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Abu Dhabi's ADQ and American private equity firm ECP make billion bet on powering U.S. data centers

A car drives past a building of the Digital Reality Data Center in Ashburn, Virginia, U.S., March 17, 2025. 

Leah Millis | Reuters

Sovereign wealth fund ADQ and American private equity firm Energy Capital Partners, or ECP, have signed a deal for a $25 billion investment partnership dedicated to increasing power generation, primarily in the U.S., to serve data center needs, the companies announced Wednesday.

The partnership “aims to service the growing power needs of data centers, hyperscale cloud companies and other energy-intensive industries,” a joint statement by the firms read. “As the continuity and quality of power supply is crucial for these high-growth industries, the need for captive power plants that are in proximity is often a pre-requisite. The partnership is focused on meeting these needs over the long-term.”

The 50-50 partnership will deploy capital with the goal to invest more than $25 billion across 25 gigawatts worth of projects via greenfield site development, new builds and expansions of current infrastructure.

ADQ, established in 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, focuses on investments in critical infrastructure and global supply chains, while ECP describes itself as the largest private owner of power generation and renewable energy assets in the U.S. ADQ oversees $249 billion in assets, while ECP has raised more than $31 billion in capital commitments since its inception in 2005.

The partnership announcement comes at a time of rapidly increasing power needs — electricity demand is set to surge in the U.S. after staying largely flat for some 15 years, fueled by new data centers, factories, electric vehicles, and hotter and longer summers.

UAE will be a key player in building AI infrastructure, AI minister says

And as tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon and Google compete to take the lead in the artificial intelligence revolution, the data centers needed to power the burgeoning technology consume an ever-increasing amount of energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy, in a December 2024 report, estimates that data center load growth in the U.S. has tripled over the past decade and that total data center electricity usage is projected to double or triple by 2028.  

According to “a 2024 International Energy Agency report on electricity,” the data center sector in the U.S. “is expected to account for more than one-third of additional demand through 2026.” Globally, data centers’ total electricity consumption could reach more than 1,000 terawatt hours, or TWh, in 2026 — that’s up from an estimated 460 TWh in 2022 and “roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of Japan,” the IAE said.

The UAE’s AI ambitions

The deal comes as ADQ chairman and United Arab Emirates national security advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Washington, meeting with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, among other political and business leaders.

The UAE has worked to strengthen ties with the U.S. on AI and is seeking greater access to American technology in order to build its own infrastructure and diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons.

The small, oil-rich Gulf sheikhdom has been intensely pursuing investments in artificial intelligence, data centers and energy transition technologies as the race for AI dominance gathers pace.

UAE investment fund MGX last year teamed up with Microsoft and BlackRock to form a consortium with an initial goal of investing more than $30 billion in AI-related projects in the U.S. On Thursday, American chipmaking giant Nvidia and and Musk’s xAI announced they would be joining the project.

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Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro with 500W panel at $1,999 low in latest sale, Lectric XPeak 2.0 LR e-bike new $1,579 low, EGO leaf blower, more

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March 20, 2025

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Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro with 500W panel at ,999 low in latest sale, Lectric XPeak 2.0 LR e-bike new ,579 low, EGO leaf blower, more

Headlining today’s Green Deals is Jackery’s Home Improvement Sale, which is continuing its previous flash sale offers alongside new additions, one of which being the Explorer 3000 Pro solar generator bundle with a 500W panel at its $1,999 low – plus, continuing free gifts on the brand’s newest Explorer 5000 Plus and its bundles, and more. We also have the unexpected price cut on Lectric’s XPeak 2.0 Off-Road Long-range e-bikes to a new $1,579 low, while also coming with $336 in free gear during the brand’s latest sale, as well as EGO’s 56V 765 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower with 5.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries down at $330. Bringing up the rear is Govee’s Smart Electric Composter which has dropped down to $305. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s latest sales from Lectric, Segway, Aventon, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Jackery’s Explorer 3000 Pro comes with 500W solar panel at $1,999 low in Home Improvement Sale

Jackery has switched over to its Home Improvement Sale through March 28 with up to 50% discounts on new offers added alongside the previous flash sale offers, many of which are dropping further in price. One notable ongoing deal for the second time is Jackery’s Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station bundled alongside a 500W solar panel for $1,999 shipped. This new package would normally run you $3,999 at full price, which we saw brought down to today’s rate only a few days ago for the first time, which is continuing in this longer-form sale. We did see a similar bundle with two 200W panels two weeks ago among the brand’s spring sale savings hitting $1,994, so considering you’re getting an extra 100W of solar input here for just $5 more (in the form of its newest solar panel model to boot), this deal is looking all the better. This is a 50% markdown we’re seeing, cutting $2,000 off the going rate and officially marking its current all-time low, which you won’t find at Amazon either.

If you’re dusting off your camping gear – especially if it includes an RV – or even preparing for any home backup emergency needs, Jackery’s Explorer 3000 Pro is a larger and more versatile option to cover all your bases. It starts with a sizeable 3,024Wh battery capacity, delivering up to 3,000W of power output that can surge to 6,000W for larger appliances. With 10 output port options, one of which is an RV-dedicated TT30 port, this is one of the brand’s few and best options for motor home living alongside the Explorer 2000 Plus and Explorer 5000 Plus – both of which come as modular and expandable options (see their deals below).

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Recharging for the Explorer 3000 Pro takes just about 2.4 hours when plugged into a wall outlet, or it sports a maximum 1,200W of solar input that can push the battery back to full in three to four hours (so around twice as long for this bundle combo we’re seeing here). It also provides the option for connecting to your car if you’re desperate, recharging back to full in about 35 hours.

***Note: One thing we’re seeing continue from the previous flash sale is the inclusion of a free Explorer 100 Plus 99Wh LiFePO4 power station along with your purchase of the Explorer 5000 Plus station and its bundle packages. Some of these deals are matching at Amazon, though keep in mind that they won’t give you the free gift there.

Jackery’s Home Improvement Sale essential critical load backup:

Jackery’s Home Improvement Sale essential appliance backup:

Jackery’s Home Improvement Sale outdoor adventure deals:

Jackery’s accessory deals:

You can browse the entirety of Jackery’s Home Improvement Sale on the landing page here, and be sure to get your orders in by March 28, when the sale ends. 

Lectric XPeak 2.0 off-road long-range e-bike

Lectric’s XPeak 2.0 off-road long-range e-bikes with 80-mile range and $336 in free gear fall to new $1,579 low

Popping our head back into Lectric’s ongoing Nothin’ But Net Sale, which is offering up to $762 in free gear along with e-bike purchases, we spotted a price cut on the brand’s XPeak 2.0 Off-Road Long-Range e-bikes to $1,579 shipped along with $336 in free gear. Originally priced at $1,699 since launching in November, this is the first time we’ve seen a price cut on one of the brand’s newest models, with the bundle here normally costing you $1,915 ($2,035 at original pricing), marking a new all-time low. Along with your purchase, you’ll also be getting a rear cargo rack, fenders over both tires, an Elite headlight, and a suspension seat post. Head below for more details on this model, as well as the rest of the sale’s lineup of deals.

Lectric’s XPeak 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes sport significant upgrades from its predecessor, like the addition of a new torque sensor that pairs with the brand’s PWR+ tech for more responsive PAS support for up to 80 miles of travel thanks to the improved 20Ah battery. It also has the 750W Stealth M24 rear hub-motor (peaking at 1,310W) that provides riders with top speeds of 28 MPH, when permitted by your local laws. You can also find the standard XPeak 2.0 e-bikes with a 60-mile travel range at $1,399 shipped and coming with $316 in free gear.

All of the XPeak 2.0 models come with notable structural upgrades too, like the new hydroformed aluminum frame, a higher-end RST Renegade front suspension fork, lock-on hand grips, a larger 203 mm front disc for the hydraulic mineral oil brakes, and a new color LCD display. There’s plenty of continuing stock features from its previous generation too, including a Shimano 8-speed Altus derailleur, puncture-resistant off-road tires, a throttle for pure electric riding (though this decreases mileage), removable pedals, accessory mounting points, and hidden cable routing, as well as all the add-on accessories you’ll get from the bundle.

Be sure to checkout the full lineup of deals from Lectric’s sale in our original coverage here, especially the exclusive Nothin’ But Net cargo packages on the brand’s XP 3.0 e-bikes.

EGO Power+ 56V 765 CFM cordless leaf blower

Grab EGO’s 56V 765 CFM cordless electric leaf blower with 5.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries at $330

EGO’s Power+ Savings event is still going, with tons of ongoing deals across an array of the brand’s electric lawn care equipment and tools. One notable inclusion that deserves some spotlight time is the brand’s 56V 765 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower that comes with a 5.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries for $329.99 shipped. This bundle would normally cost you $509 in full, with more frequent discounts usually hitting its counterpart package with just the 5.0Ah battery that has gone as low as $293 at Amazon. Considering the 2.5Ah batteries usual $150 rate, scoring it here at just $37 more is quite the steal. Today’s deal has only been beaten in price once before in April 2023, when it last hit its $300 low.

Housing a brushless motor, this 56V leaf blower from EGO offers up to 90 minutes of averaged continuous runtime thanks to the 5.0Ah battery, with that rate bumped to 150 minutes with it at its low setting – and of course, the extra 2.5Ah battery offers extended times once swapped out. There is a variable speed control on this model for a 260 to 580 CFM range, while the turbo mode ramps that all the way up to its max 765 CFM (around 200 MPH air flow). Along with the device, batteries, and charger, you’ll also be getting a spread nozzle, a tapered nozzle, and a shoulder strap.

We’ve covered a lot of amazing deals from this sale, many of which are new and returning low prices. Be sure to check them out before the savings end:

govee smart electric composter

Turn food waste into nutrient-rich soil with Govee’s Smart Electric Composter at $305

Coming at us by way of its official Amazon storefront, Govee is offering its Smart Electric Composter for $304.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $150 off coupon. Normally sitting up at a $500 price tag since hitting the market in October, it’s mostly been discounted to $350 in the time since, with occasional falls further to $300. Today’s deal is a 39% markdown that puts $195 in initial savings back in your pocket (plus the money you’ll save utilizing it in your life), dropping costs to the third-lowest price we have tracked – $5 under our previous mention a month ago and $55 above the all-time low that we haven’t seen since it first released.

If you’ve wanted to cut down on your food waste and/or recycle that waste to reuse as low-cost soil for your plants, you’ll want to consider adding this Smart Electric Composter to your home life. It keeps digital records of your usage so you can better track your wasteful habits, providing you with another means to save money when planning out meals.

It provides three different operating modes, complete with smart controls via the companion app and hands-free voice controls through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri – with safety notifications even being sent to you should anything not be functioning properly. Of course, I’m sure you’re worried about smells that tend to permeate from the composting process, but this model has been given two interchangeable filters that prevent those odors from escaping and filling up your kitchen. You can find replacement filters at Amazon for $26 right now too.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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