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On Wednesday, the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) completed its bi-annual El Prix event that tests the range of dozens of popular EVs from around the globe and various price brackets. While Tesla has dominated the last four years, 2024’s winter edition of the El Prix saw a newcomer not only deliver the most range in cold weather but also come closest to its advertised range.

The Norwegian Automobile Federation, or NAF, is the largest interest and consumer organization in the Nordic, with over 500,000 members – equivalent to roughly 25% of all vehicle owners in the country.

Twice a year alongside Motor, the NAF organizes a range test called the El Prix, described as the “world’s largest” – once in the winter and then again in the summer. Since 2020, Tesla EVs have dominated the bi-annual range tests, and this year’s winter El Prix saw the Model 3 as the clear favorite as it offered the most range on paper.

However, the 2024 lineup of 23 different EVs from around the world saw a newcomer steal the spotlight, with a range significantly less affected by the cold conditions compared to the other EVs.

EV range test
The 2024 Winter El Prix in -10 degrees Celsius / Source : NAF

HiPhi Z usurps Model 3 favorite in EV range test by 81 km

For the 2024 Winter El Prix, the NAF and Motor gathered a pool of 23 different EVs to track their range across Norway in temperatures between -2° and -10℃ (14° to 28℉) in addition to windy conditions.

In the morning, the EVs are fully charged and travel together on the same day, on the same route, under the same conditions for fairness. They are gathered up as they inevitably become depleted of range. Here’s the complete list of the contenders in this year’s winter EV range test, along with their results:

Make/Model Advertised Range (WLTP) Consumption / 100 km El Prix Winter Range El Prix Winter Consumption / 100 km
Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback 515 km
(310 miles)
22.4 kWh 411.4 km (-20.1%) 24.8 kWh (+10.4%)
BMW i5 (eDrive40) 505 km
(314 miles)
18.7 kWh 443.6 km (-12.2%) 19.7 kWh (+5.3%)
BYD Dolphin 427 km
(265 miles)
15.9 kWh 339.2 km (-20.6%) 171. kWh (+7.5%)
Ford F-150 Lightning 429 kim
(267 miles)
18.7 kWh 337.5 km (-21.3%) 23.9 kWh (+27.8%)
HiPhi Z 555 km
(345 miles)
20.4 kWh 522 km (-5.9%) 24.32 kWh (+9.2%)
Hyundai IONIQ 6 614 km
(382 miles)
14.3 kWh 467.8 km (-23.8%) 16.3 kWh (+14%)
Hyundai Kona Electric 454 km
(282 miles)
16.6 kWh 341.3 km (-24.8%) 18.3 kWh (+10.2%)
Jeep Avenger 395 km
(245 miles)
15.7 kWh 286 km (-27.6%) 19.4 kWh (+23.6%)
Kia EV9 505 km
(314 miles)
22.8 kWh 441.9 km (-12.5%) 23 kWh (+0.9%)
Lotus Eletre 530 km
(329 miles)
20.3 kWh 464.6 km (-12.3%) 24.8 kWh (+22.2%)
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 491 km
( miles)
21.5 kWh 399 km (-18.7%) 22.5 kWh (+4.7%)
MG4 Trophy Long Range 520 km
( miles)
16.5 kWh 399.6 km (-23.2%) 17.5 kWh (+6.1%)
NIO EL6 (ES6) 529 km
(305 miles)
22.1 kWh 456 km (-13.8%) 19.8 kWh (-10.4%)
NIO ET5 560 km
(348 miles)
21.6 kWh 481.4 km (-14%) 19.4 kWh (-10.2%)
Nissan Ariya 498 km
(309 miles)
20.4 kWh 369.4 km (-25.8%) 21.7 kWh (+6.4%)
Opel Astra 413 km
(257 miles)
15.7 kWh 296 km (-28.3%) 17.4 kWh (+10.8%)
Peugeot E-308 409 km
(254 miles)
12.7 kWh 297 km (-27.4%) 17 kWh (+33.9%)
Polestar 2 Long Range 614 km
(382 miles)
15.8 kWh 430 km (-30%) 18.5 kWh (+17.1%)
Tesla Model 3 629 km
(397 miles)
N/A 441 km (-29.9%) 18 kWh
Toyota bZ4X 460 km
(286 miles)
16.2 kWh 313.5 km (-31.8%) 19.8 kWh (+22.2%)
Volkswagen ID.7 608 km
(378 miles)
14.4 kWh 414 km (-31.9%) 18.9 kWh (+31.2%)
XPeng G9 520 km
(323 miles)
21.3 kWh 451.8 km (-13.1%) 22.8 kWh (+7%)
Volvo C40 572 km
(355 miles)
17.5 kWh 395 km (-30.9%) 21.1 kWh (+20.6%)
Source: NAF

While other EVs led the pack in WLTP range and consumption on paper, the HiPhi Z out of China shined during the 2024 winter range test in total distance traveled on a single charge and had the lowest range loss compared to what its makers advertised.

Perhaps you haven’t heard of HiPhi yet, but maybe you need to check in with Electrek more because we’ve covered the young Chinese automaker several times in the past year, including the launch of the Z GT that dominated in Norway this week.

Despite having a 74 km less advertised range than the favored Tesla Model 3, The HiPhi Z bested the world’s best-selling electric sedan by a whopping 81 km (50.3 miles) in real-world winter testing.

Despite harsh winter conditions, a massive inhibitor to EV adoption in today’s market, the HiPhi Z came closest to achieving its advertised EV range during the test, missing the mark by a mere 6%. The next closest was the relatively new BMW i5, which finished 12.2% less than its advertised range.

The Model 3 missed its target by nearly 30%. The Lotus Eletre came in a close third behind the i5, closing out the podium for premium EVs alongside the HiPhi Z.

There is a lot of additional insight into the data from the NAF’s 2024 EV winter range test you can view here. We look forward to the organization’s summer version of the El Prix to see how all these EVs (and likely some newcomers) fare under warmer conditions. Stay tuned.

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Honda launches 2025 Prologue deals: Here’s how you can snag some savings

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Honda launches 2025 Prologue deals: Here's how you can snag some savings

Honda’s electric SUV took the US by storm, becoming the top-selling EV in the US outside of Tesla in the final three months of 2024. This year, Honda is making the Prologue even more attractive, upgrading it with over 300 miles of range. With 2025 Prologue models now arriving at dealerships, Honda wasted no time launching new deals this week.

2025 Honda Prologue EV deals and offers

After the first models were delivered last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the US.

In the second half of 2024, the Prologue was the second best-selling electric SUV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y. This year, it boasts even more driving range and power.

Since Honda didn’t raise prices, it’s essentially a free upgrade (well, sort of). The 2025 Honda Prologue (2WD) now has a “top-class” EPA rating of 308 miles, up 12 miles from the outgoing model. It also packs 220 horsepower (+8) and 243 lb-ft of torque (+7).

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The Prologue is still available in single-motor (2WD) and dual-motor (AWD) versions in three trims: EX, Touring, and Elite.

The AWD version now has a range of 294 miles (+13) for the EX and Touring trims and 283 miles (+10) for the Elite. It also now packs 300 horsepower (+12) and 355 lb-ft of torque (+25).

Honda-2025-Prologue-deals
Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

With DC fast charging speeds of up to 150 kW, the electric SUV can add 65 miles of range in around 10 minutes.

The 2025 Honda Prologue starts at $47,400, but with the $7,500 EV tax credit, prices could fall to under $40,000. And that’s for the EX single-motor version with up to 308 miles of range.

Honda-Prologue-2025-interior
2025 Honda Prologue Elite interior (Source: Honda)

On Honda’s website, the 2025 Prologue is listed with a promotional rate of 2.99% APR for up to 60 months. Lease prices for the base model are not yet available, but the 2025 AWD EX is listed at $599 for 36 months with $4,299 due at signing.

Although the deals on the 2025 models are not nearly as good as the 0% financing and leases as low as $269 per month for the 2024 Prologue, Honda had to make up for the upgrades somewhere.

Trim Drive Configuration Pricing EPA Ratings
MSRP After Federal EV Tax Credit Plus $1,450
D&H
Range Rating MPGe Rating
(City/Hwy/Combined)
EX Single Motor (2WD) $47,400 $39,900 $41,350 308 113 / 94 / 104
EX Dual Motor (AWD) $50,400 $42,900 $44,350 294 108 / 90 / 99
Touring Single Motor (2WD) $51,700 $44,200 $45,650 308 113 / 94 / 104
Touring Dual Motor (AWD) $54,700 $47,200 $48,650 294 108 / 90 / 99
Elite Dual Motor (AWD) $57,900 $50,400 $51,850 283 104 / 87 / 95
2025 Honda Prologue prices, range, and drive configuration by trim (Source: Honda)

Honda is sweetening the deal with a charging package included in the Prologue’s price. You can choose from a free Level 2 home charger, a portable charging kit, or a $750 public charging credit.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is selling out fast with ultra-low lease and financing rates, while the 2025 model promises even more. Ready to try it out for yourself? You can use our link to find deals on the 2024 and 2025 Honda Prologue in your area today.

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Block bets on lending expansion after stock slump

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Block bets on lending expansion after stock slump

In this photo illustration, the logo for the US tech firm “Block” is displayed and reflected in a number of digital screens on March 03, 2023 in London, England. 

Leon Neal | Getty Images

With its stock down more than 30% this year and revenue growth slowing, Jack Dorsey’s Block is going bigger in lending.

The company on Thursday said it secured approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to originate loans through its banking subsidiary, Square Financial Services, allowing it to offer small-dollar consumer loans directly rather than relying on external banking partners.

It’s an expansion of Cash App Borrow, the company’s short-term lending product. But it comes at a time of increased concerns surrounding consumer credit, with President Trump’s expansive tariffs and widespread government job cuts raising talk of a potential recession.

Transaction losses in Block’s lending segment jumped 39% last quarter, and while the company claims its underwriting model is strong, small-dollar lending is inherently risky.

“Cash App Borrow is designed to provide short-term cash flow in a simple and accessible way when alternatives are notoriously expensive and difficult for consumers to navigate,” Block said in the press release. The company added that the average Cash App Borrow loan was under $100 and about a month in duration.

Block didn’t immediately provide a comment.

In getting approval to operate the lending business out of its own bank, Block says it will be able to offer the product nationwide.

Last month, Block reported quarterly results that missed Wall Street expectations, with revenue growing just 4.5% from a year earlier. The stock plunged 18%, its worst one-day drop since 2020.

Around the same time, Block rolled out Afterpay, its buy now, pay later product, on the Cash App card. Chief Financial Officer Amrita Ahuja told CNBC that the launch aimed to provide customers with more credit options, and positioned Cash App as a banking alternative for some customers. Block acquired Afterpay, which competes with Affirm, for $29 billion in early 2022.

Also this week, Block announced a big investment plan in artificial intelligence.

The company said on Wednesday that it will deploy Nvidia’s AI systems with its latest Blackwell chips to power open-source AI research. Block didn’t say what specifically it’s looking to achieve through its AI buildout, but noted in the press release that it will “start exploring novel solutions for our customers.”

WATCH: Block shares drop after earnings

Block shares drop after reporting earnings and revenue miss

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Kia’s first electric van looks even better in person [Video]

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Kia's first electric van looks even better in person [Video]

Kia is launching its first electric van, the PV5, later this year. If you liked how it looked in pictures, wait until you see it in real life. A production PV5 was spotted in Korea for the first time, giving us a closer look at the futuristic van. See it for yourself in the video below.

Kia’s first electric van spotted in Korea

After teasing it for what seemed like forever, Kia finally took the sheets off the PV5 at its 2025 EV Day event last month.

With its hard-to-miss futuristic design, the PV5 is a near replica of the concept shown at CES last January. The mid-size electric van is set to kick off Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy.

The PV5 will initially be available in Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab setups, but with “unprecedented flexibility,” you can expect to see more options soon. Two of the first will be the PV5 Crew, with additional cargo securing options and a Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) version.

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After that, Kia will follow it up with Drop Side, Box Van, Freezer, Box, and Prime variations. It plans to launch a Light Camper conversion.

Kia PV5 spotted in Korea (Source: HealerTV)

With sales kicking off in the second half of 2025, Kia’s electric van was spotted in Korea for the first time without camouflage. A new video from HealerTV gives us a better idea of what to expect when the PV5 hits dealerships later this year.

The PV5 maintains its techy, almost ahead-of-its-time design. Two exterior body colors were shown: white and a darker grey or black. As the reporter notes, it actually looks like an upgrade from the concept.

Kia did what it could at the back so it didn’t look like a bus, giving it more of a rounded overall shape. You can see how it stands apart from most MPVs you see today.

Like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Kia’s PV5 looks more like a minibus. At 4,695 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,899 mm tall, Kia’s passenger electric van is slightly smaller than the European ID.Buzz model (4,712 mm long, 1,985 mm wide, 1,937 mm tall).

It will be available with 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh battery packs, good for up to 400 km (249 miles) WLTP range. The PV5 can also fast charge (10% to 80%) in about 30 minutes. In comparison, powered by an 84 kWh battery, the ID.Buzz now offers up to 293 miles WLTP range.

Kia will launch sales in Korea and Europe later this year, followed by other global markets in 2026. Pre-orders will open soon, so check back for prices.

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