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While automakers prepare to launch their next wave of electric vehicles, Hyundai already has an EV that checks all the boxes. According to a new report, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is the only EV on the market offering fast charging in under 20 minutes, over 350 miles range, and at an affordable starting price.

Hyundai IONIQ 6 checks all the boxes as an affordable EV

Hyundai introduced the IONIQ 6 electric sedan in South Korea in late 2022, with sales kicking off in the US in March 2023.

Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP dedicated EV platform, the same one underpinning the IONIQ 5, the IONIQ 6 offers up to 361 miles of driving range. Perhaps, more importantly, you can charge Hyundai’s electric sedan (10% to 80%) in as little as 18 minutes with 800V DC fast charging.

And you get all of this starting at an affordable starting price of as little as $38,650. With long-range capabilities, fast charging, and an affordable price tag, is the Hyundai IONIQ 6 the ultimate EV?

According to a new report from Boston Consulting Group, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is the only EV on the market that meets potential buyers’ median price, range, and charging targets.

Hyundai-IONIQ-6-affordable
(Source: Boston Consulting Group)

BCG research found that 70% of US consumers are considering buying an EV. Other than the 6% that already own one, 38% said they plan to purchase an EV as their next vehicle, and another 27% are considering one in the future.

However, the study found those holding out are looking for faster charging, more range, and lower prices.

The median requirements include 20-min charging, 30 min detour and wait times for fast-charging stations, 350 miles range, and a price of $50,000.


2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 trim
Battery
(kWh)
Estimated Range
(miles)
Starting Price
SE Standard Range RWD 53 240 $38,615
SE RWD 77.4 361 $43,656
SEL RWD 77.4 305 $46,365
Limited RWD 77.4 305 $51,265
SE Dual Motor AWD 77.4 316 $47,065
SEL Dual Motor AWD 77.4 270 $49,865
Limited Dual Motor AWD 77.4 270 $54,765
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 starting price and range

Hyundai launched the 2024 IONIQ 6 for $4,100 cheaper than last year’s model. Starting at $38,615, Hyundai’s IONIQ 6 checks all the boxes as an affordable, long-range, fast-charging EV.

To make it even more attractive, Hyundai is offering a $7,500 cash offer on all trims, bringing prices down to potentially just over $30,000.

Hyundai-IONIQ-6-affordable
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Source: Hyundai)

Tesla’s Model 3 was the next closest model to hitting the threshold. The 2024 Tesla Model 3 starts at $38,990 with up to 272 miles range. For the Long Range model, prices start at $47,740, with up to 341 miles range.

The race for lower-cost electric cars

Automakers are rushing to introduce new low-cost EVs. Ford is shifting from large EVs, like the F-150 Lightning, to smaller, more affordable models.

According to a new Bloomberg Businessweek report, Ford plans to launch a new low-cost EV platform. The platform will underpin a next-gen smaller electric pickup and SUV with starting prices around $25,000. Meanwhile, the American automaker is putting plans for a larger three-row electric SUV on hold.

Ford-affordable-EV-pickup
2024 Ford F-150 Flash (Source: Ford)

Ford’s CEO Jim Farley explained at a Wolfe Research conference last month that if you cannot keep up with Chinese EV makers, “20% to 30% of your revenue is at risk.”

Farley explained, “As the CEO of a company that had trouble competing with the Japanese and the South Koreans, we have to fix this problem.”

Ford put together a “skunk works team” to develop it with “some of the best EV engineers in the world.” That team is led by Alan Clarke, who led the engineering of the Tesla Model Y.

US-EV-registrations-2023
New Tesla Model 3 (Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.)

Speaking of Tesla, the EV leader is gearing up to launch its next-gen electric car, a $25,000 vehicle.

Although initial plans called for Tesla’s next-gen EV to be built at Gigafactory Mexico, CEO Elon Musk confirmed it will be built in Texas.

Musk said the model was “advanced” in its development in December. Tesla’s CEO said he reviews the production line plans “every week.”

Rivian-R2
Rivian R2 (Source: Rivian)

Rivian recently unveiled its cheaper R2, starting at $45,000 with at least 300 miles range across all trims. It’s due to enter production in the first half of 2026. The EV startup also introduced the R3, an even smaller and more affordable model that will follow.

Hyundai’s sister company, Kia, is launching a lineup of affordable EVs with starting prices between $30,000 and $50,000.

Kia-affordable-EVs
Kia EV lineup from left to right: EV6, EV4, EV5, EV3, EV9 (Source: Kia)

Kia is expected to launch its entry-level EV3 by the end of the year, starting at around $30,000. It will be followed by the Kia EV4 next year, with prices expected to be around $35,000.

The Korean automaker already launched the compact EV5 electric SUV in China with a low starting price of $20,000 (149,800 yuan).

What do you think? Does the Hyundai IONIQ 6 check all the boxes? Let us know in the comments.

If you want to see what Hyundai’s affordable IONIQ 6 has to offer, we can help you get started today. You can use our link to find great deals on the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 at a dealer near you.

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Mercedes-Benz unveils the new CLA Shooting Brake EV with impressive range

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Mercedes-Benz unveils the new CLA Shooting Brake EV with impressive range

The new CLA Shooting Brake is the first electric Mercedes vehicle available as an estate. It’s more spacious, more capable, and more high-tech than ever.

Meet the new Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake EV

Mercedes introduced the new CLA Shooting Brake on Tuesday, its first electric estate car. The Shooting Brake arrives as the second EV from the luxury brand’s new entry-level family of vehicles.

The electric wagon takes the best of the new CLA, which was revealed just a few weeks ago, and adds more space and capability.

It’s also bigger than the current CLA Shooting Brake, offering a more spacious interior. The new EV measures 4,723 mm in length, or 35 mm longer than the outgoing model.

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With an extended wheelbase of 2,790 mm (+61 mm), the electric version offers 14 mm more headroom and 11 mm more legroom in the front. Rear passengers gain 7 mm of headroom but lose 6 mm of legroom compared to the current model.

Mercedes-Benz-CLA-Shooting-Brake-EV
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake models (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Boot space is 455 L, which is 50 L more than the CLA sedan, but 30 L less than the outgoing Shooting Brake. However, it does include an added Frunk (front trunk) for an extra 101 L of storage space.

With all seats folded, overall storage space is 1,290 L. It also comes with standard roof rails, which Mercedes claims can easily fit surfboards or bicycles with a 75 kg (165 lbs) load capacity.

Mercedes-Benz-CLA-Shooting-Brake-EV
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake with EQ Technology (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Inside, the new Shooting Brake is nearly identical to the CLA Sedan. It features the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) with its fourth-gen infotainment.

The setup includes a 14″ infotainment and 10.25″ driver display screens. An extra 14″ passenger screen is available. A trim piece with star-pattern graphics replaces it if not. All three screens are powered by the latest-gen chips and graphics from Unity Game Engine.

Mercedes-Benz-CLA-Shooting-Brake-EV
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake EV interior (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Powered by the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture and an 85 kWh battery, the new Shooting Brake EV offers up to 473 miles (761 km) WLTP range.

It will be available in single and dual-motor powertrains. The base CLA 250+ Shooting Brake has 268 hp (200 kW) output and a WLTP range of up to 473 miles (761 km). Meanwhile, the dual-motor CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake has combined 349 hp (260 kW) and a range of up to 454 miles (730 km).

Mercedes-Benz-CLA-Shooting-Brake-EV
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake EV interior (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Based on its 800V architecture, the new electric estate can add 193 miles (310 km) WLTP driving range within 10 minutes. Mercedes said that should be plenty to get from Geneva to Milan or Berlin to Hamburg.

Mercedes will introduce new EV variants in early 2026, followed by a 1.5 L hybrid model. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but it’s expected to start slightly higher than the current model. The current CLA Shooting Brake starts at around €40,000 ($46,500) in Europe.

Following the new CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch two SUVs. Check back soon for more info on the upcoming lineup.

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U.S. moving fast to secure access to critical minerals to counter China’s dominance of market, Pentagon says

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U.S. moving fast to secure access to critical minerals to counter China's dominance of market, Pentagon says

MP Materials CEO on deal with the Defense Department

The Pentagon is taking immediate action to boost critical mineral production in the U.S. and counter China’s dominance of the supply chain for rare earth magnets, a defense official told CNBC on Tuesday.

The Defense Department last week agreed to buy a direct equity stake in MP Materials, which will make the U.S. government the miner’s largest shareholder. MP operates the only rare earth mine in the U.S. located at Mountain Pass, California, and a magnet plant in Forth Worth, Texas.

When asked whether the Pentagon is considering similar investments in other U.S. mining companies, the defense official said it is looking at opportunities to strengthen domestic critical mineral production.

“Rebuilding the critical minerals and rare earth magnet sectors of the U.S. industrial base won’t happen overnight, but DoD is taking immediate action to streamline processes and identify opportunities to strengthen critical minerals production,” official said in a statement.

Rare earths are used in weapons such as the F-35 warplane, drones and submarines among other other military platforms. The U.S. was almost entirely dependent on foreign countries for rare earths in 2023, with China representing about 70% of imports, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

MP Materials CEO James Litinsky told CNBC last week that he views the public-private partnership with the Defense Department as a model for other companies in industries that are important for national security but struggle to compete against the state-backed enterprises in China.

“I’d like to think that this is sort of the first, it’s a model,” Litinsky told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Thursday. “We have to deliver at MP and show that this is an incredible route to go. But it’s a new way forward to accelerate free markets, to get the supply chain on shore that we want.”

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in April that the U.S. government was looking at taking direct equity stakes in critical mineral and rare earth miners to break China’s dominance. The Trump administration is also looking at stockpiling critical minerals and creating a sovereign risk insurance fund to protect companies investments’ in federally approved projects, Burgum said at an energy conference in Oklahoma City.

The Pentagon makes long-term investments in mining, processing and refining critical minerals, the defense official told CNBC. It has invested $540 million so far to support a critical mineral and rare earth supply chain in the U.S. and allied nations, the official said.

“That is significant, and DoD will continue to such efforts in accordance with congressional appropriations and statutory authorities,” the official said.

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Crypto super PAC Fairshake reports $141 million war chest

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Crypto super PAC Fairshake reports 1 million war chest

Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Fairshake, the cryptocurrency industry’s most powerful political action committee, announced Tuesday that it now holds more than $141 million in cash on hand, underscoring the sector’s growing influence as Congress takes up landmark legislation this week.

The total, which includes liquid assets like crypto, stock, and cash, reflects a surge of donations from digital asset executives and firms, including a fresh $25 million from Coinbase.

Fairshake and its two affiliated PACs — Defend American Jobs and Protect Progress — have raised $109 million since Election Day in 2024 and $52 million during just the first half of this year.

“We are building an aggressive, targeted strategy for next year to ensure that pro-crypto voices are heard in key races across the country,” said spokesperson Josh Vlasto.

Ethereum succeeded beyond anyone's expectations, says network co-founder Vitalik Buterin at EthCC

The announcement lands in the middle of what lawmakers are calling “Crypto Week” on Capitol Hill, as the House begins deliberations on a trio of long-awaited bills that would define how digital assets are regulated.

The legislation includes the dividing of oversight, setting new stablecoin rules, and a bill banning the creation of a central bank digital currency.

The crypto industry is no longer just lobbying for survival, it is shaping the political landscape. Fairshake saw nearly every candidate it backed in 2024 win their race.

“We stuck to our core strategy from Day 1,” Fairshake previously told CNBC. “We supported pro-crypto candidates and opposed those who played politics with jobs and innovation, and won.”

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