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Kia is kicking off the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 with some exciting news in a quest to go “beyond mobility.” This afternoon, Kia introduced its fully customizable Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) to provide businesses and individuals with modular, fit-for-purpose EVs. Kia also demonstrated the potential of its new PBV business by unveiling the Concept PV5.

While many legacy automakers are suddenly dialing back their EV strategies, Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia, remains devoted to pushing electric mobility forward through several segments.

Kia has found early success in its BEV models, which remains a relatively small lineup as the Korean automaker transitions into a fully electric company. With R&D funds allocated toward other technologies like robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Kia and Hyundai Motor Group is constantly evolving and exploring exciting new tech.

That saga continues from CES 2024 this afternoon, as the passenger vehicle manufacturer has introduced a new “blank slate” Kia platform that will support commercial and individual businesses.

Meet Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle, showcased in the form of multiple concept EVs, including the PV5 seen here:

Kia teases PV5 concept on new modular platform

With its new Platform Beyond Vehicle technology, Kia looks to capitalize on a commercial segment that has swallowed up several startups whose funds dried up before they could truly make an impact.

Business owners are merely one target of Kia’s new fit-for-purpose EVs and part of Hyundai Motor Group’s larger ambitions to revolutionize the entire mobility industry. Combined with HMG’s software-to-everything (SDx) technology, Kia’s PBV EVs can provide a new design exercise in modular, customizable space to fit the needs of more people – whether it is a taxi, mobile boutique, cargo van, or a recreational vehicle. Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Song spoke:

Kia’s PBV business represents our vision of going beyond the traditional concept of automobiles by fulfilling the unmet needs of diverse customers and communities through optimized vehicles and services catering to specific market and business circumstances.

Kia’s new technology enables one vehicle chassis to meet multiple purposes. The automaker shared that the entire area behind the fixed cab can support interchangeable upper bodies it calls “life modules.” These weldless “top hat” structures come in kit form and can be connected to the base vehicle via a hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology – offering further versatility thanks to their ability to be swapped out.

During the unveiling of the PV5 concept, Kia also outlined the roadmap of its Platform Beyond Vehicle Strategy, which will expand through three separate phases:

  • Phase One: Kia introduces the PV5 EV optimized for major domains such as ride-hailing, delivery and utilities.
    • This include Basic, Van, High Roof, and Chassis Cab variants.
    • In the future, Kia also plans to introduce a Robotaxi version developed with Motional.
  • Phase Two: Completion of the dedicated PBV model line-up, with PBVs evolving into AI-based mobility platforms that use data to interact with users and help keep vehicles updated.
    • Includes the addition of the PV7 EV – Kia’s largest platform offering in the new lineup, designed to offer superior interior space and electric range.
    • Also includes the P1V, the smallest in the lineup, designed for short-distance logistics transportation.
    • PBV Modularity – Kia will introduce an integrated rail system that allows EVs to transfer goods between one another using cabinets and frames.
  • Phase Three: Kia PBVs evolve into highly customizable, bespoke mobility solutions by integrating with the future mobility ecosystem. 

Kia’s EV concepts showcasing the new Platform Beyond Vehicle technology will be displayed in the LVCC West Hall during CES this week. The exhibit includes a look at Concept PV5 and two of its variants, plus the previously mentioned Concept PV7 and Concept PV1.

The automaker says it has a second exhibit at CES Central Plaza, where it will be displaying the Concept EV3 and Concept EV4, in addition to the EV6 GT and EV9 production models.

Is anyone else at CES? Keep an eye out for Electrek and say hello!

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Florida rangers are now patrolling on electric bikes

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Florida rangers are now patrolling on electric bikes

Florida’s State Parks are stepping up their environmental and operational game, introducing a large fleet of powerful electric bikes to support park ranger patrols.

The Florida State Parks Foundation, under its sustainability-focused Greener Initiative, recently announced the expansion of e‑bike units across the state’s parks system. The fleet of Velotric Nomad e-bikes, each equipped with 750‑watt motors and with a claimed 65‑mile range, can offer a substantial 500‑lb payload capacity. They also feature 4″ wide fat tires optimized for riding on rough paths or off-road trails, making them ideal for park ranger patrols.

These e‑bikes are now being distributed to multiple locations throughout Florida, including Fort Clinch, Olustee Battlefield Historic, Rainbow Springs, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, and Suwannee River State Park.

According to Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Foundation, the overwhelming success of the first wave of e‑bikes prompted swift expansion. “The Greener Initiative has done incredible things to reduce our environmental footprint,” she noted, adding that it’s “even more amazing when Greener projects align with resources that support our rangers.”

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These additions bring the statewide fleet to 50 e‑bikes, funded via sales from the “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate. Starting in 2023, the Greener Initiative has rolled out a variety of efforts to make Florida’s parks cleaner and more efficient, including slashing emissions, cutting down on waste, lowering energy consumption, and enhancing the overall experience for visitors.

Electrek’s Take

I love this, and it’s a great example of how e-bikes are perfect for so many different patrol uses among park rangers, police officers, security companies, and other types of official fleet usage.

We’re seeing this more and more, and the reason is obvious: It works. E-bikes are a lot cheaper than alternatives like UTVs, golf carts, or “real” vehicles like cars and trucks. They require significantly less maintenance, and they’re a lot more fun too.

I just hope they mount some extra water bottle holders. I often ride in Florida, and in the summer, I can drink a gallon a day… on an electric bike!

Via: WCJB

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Meet the Lucid Gravity X: The electric SUV turned all-terrain beast

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Meet the Lucid Gravity X: The electric SUV turned all-terrain beast

Lucid’s most adventurous vehicle has just arrived. The Lucid Gravity can drive 450 miles on a single charge, comfortably fits seven, and is faster than the average sports car. Lucid promises the new X concept takes the electric family hauler to a new level.

Meet the Lucid Gravity X adventure-ready EV SUV

Lucid has been hyping the new model as “a bold new concept of electric exploration,” describing it as its most adventurous vehicle to date.

At Monterey Car Week on Friday, we finally got our first look at Lucid’s stunning new Gravity X concept. Based on the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring, which features an impressive up to 450 miles of EPA-estimated range, AWD, and a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 3.4 secs, the X is designed to take you even further.

As Lucid put it, the X “advances this exceptional foundation, exploring what it would be like to push the limits further.

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The concept features a new look, lifted ride height, and added off-road elements for all on and off-road adventures. Lucid fine-tuned the front and rear ends to improve approach and departure angles. It also slapped all-terrain tires, protective skid plates, and tow hooks on it, just in case.

Lucid-Gravity-X
The Lucid Gravity X concept (Source: Lucid Group)

Like we first saw in the teaser, the X concept is equipped with an integrated crossbar with LED lights and a roof box.

Lucid says every detail on the new concept was intentional, from the Astral Drift satin paint to the topographical references to Big Spur and Death Valley on the hood.

The interior features upgrades, including premium leather seats, high-performance floor mats, and a microsuede steering wheel.

Lucid-Gravity-X
The interior of the Lucid Gravity X (Source: Lucid Group)

According to Lucid, the Gravity X, pronounced Gravity Cross, is “ready to go anywhere. Take on everything. And compromise nothing.”

Although it’s just a concept for now, the X gives us a glimpse into a future off-road Gravity trim. As we mentioned earlier this week, Lucid could be preparing to introduce a rugged new variant to compete with Rivian’s California Dune Edition R1S and R1T models.

What do you think of the rugged Gravity X Concept? Should Lucid bring it to life? It wouldn’t be surprising to see a new variant hit the market soon.

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Wheel-E Podcast: Bafang automatic shifting motor, 50 MPH scooter, more

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Wheel-E Podcast: Bafang automatic shifting motor, 50 MPH scooter, more

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from Heybike, the Priority Skyline launch, Segway’s new 50 MPH electric scooter, a Bafang hub motor with automatic shifting, and more.

The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

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We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):

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