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Hyundai Motor Group, including Kia, is using affordability to gain market share in the US. With low-cost electric cars, Hyundai Motor, along with Kia, surged past American automakers Ford and GM in the US EV market in the first three months of 2024.

Hyundai, Kia top Ford, GM in EV sales with affordability

After the IONIQ 5 was the sixth best-selling EV in the US last year with nearly 34,000 units sold, Hyundai (and Kia) are starting the year strong in the US.

Hyundai’s best-selling electric SUV, the IONIQ 5, set a new sales record last month, pushing EV sales up 100% over last year.

Through the first three months of 2024, Hyundai sold 6,822 IONIQ 5 models, another record. Hyundai’s second dedicated EV, the IONIQ 6, saw sales surge 1,542% in Q1 to 3,646.

After a major refresh this year, Hyundai’s Kona EV was another big reason behind the brand’s success. Hyundai upgraded the 2024 Kona Electric in every way, adding more range, faster charging, and a new stylish design.

Although Hyundai doesn’t break down Kona sales (there are also two gas-powered versions), sales of the subcompact crossover rose 20% in Q1, with 23,054 units sold.


2024 Hyundai Kona electric trim
Starting Price
(not including a $1,335 delivery fee)
SE $32,675
SEL $36,675
Limited $41,045
2024 Hyundai Kona electric starting price by trim

Starting under $33,000, the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric is one of the most affordable EVs on the US market.

Hyundai-Kia-affordability
Hyundai Kona Electric N Line (Source: Hyundai)

In fact, new research from auto research firm CarsDirect shows the Kona EV is one of the cheapest cars to lease in the US at just $169 per month. And that’s including gas-powered cars.

Affordable EVs are winning

The other cheapest vehicle to lease (gas or EV) is Hyundai’s IONIQ 6, starting at just $239 per month.

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

According to a new report from Boston Consulting Group, the IONIQ is the only EV that meets potential buyers’ range, charging, and price targets. Tesla’s Model 3 was the next closest to hitting the mark.

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’s last EV on the US market, the IONIQ 5, is one of the most affordable in its class. It also has more range or features than most rivals.

Hyundai is offering a rare 0% finance deal on the IONIQ 5, with lease payments starting as low as $229 per month.

Meanwhile, Kia launched a new lower-priced Light Long Range EV6 model this year, starting at $45,950 with up to 310 miles range. The new trim helped boost sales to 4,059 through the first three months of 2024, up from 3,392 last year.

Hyundai-IONIQ-5-6
Hyundai IONIQ 5 (left) and IONIQ 6 (right) at Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)

The affordability has helped Hyundai Motor, including Kia, top Ford, and GM in the US EV market through the first quarter.

Ford sold 20,223 electric cars in the first quarter of 2023, while GM sold 16,425. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, combined with Kia’s EV6 and EV9, sold over 18,500 EVs in Q1.

However, that does not include the Kona or Niro EVs. With both included, Hyundai Motor is expected to have sold easily over 25,000, if not 30,000, EVs in the US last quarter. And that’s not even including its luxury Genesis brand.

Kia-hybrids-affordable-EVs
Kia limited edition Forest Green EV6 (Source: Kia)

Despite Kia’s recent shift to introduce more hybrids, the company is doubling down on affordable electric cars. The EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5 are rolling out over the next few years, with starting prices expected between $25,000 and $50,000.

Ford is also shifting plans to focus on smaller, more affordable electric models as it looks to compete with Tesla and low-cost Chinese automakers like BYD. The company is developing a new low-cost EV platform, with the first models expected to be a smaller electric pickup and SUV, set to launch in 2026.

Meanwhile, GM is phasing out its cheapest EV, the Bolt (for now), as it works to ramp production of its Ultium-based models like the new Chevy Equinox and Blazer EVs.

Chevy-Equinox-EV-prices
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV 1LT (Source: Chevrolet)

Chevy expects the Equinox to be one of the cheapest EVs with up to 319 miles range, but that’s for the 1LT rolling out later this year. For now, the cheapest Equinox (2LT) starts at $43,295. Meanwhile, Blazer EV prices starting just over $50,000. The brand does plan to introduce a new Ultium Bolt model next year with lower-priced LFP batteries to drive down costs.

Are you ready for your next electric vehicle? Now is one of the best times to start shopping, with some of the lowest prices offered on EVs so far. You can use our links below to find deals on Hyundai and Kia electric vehicles at a dealer near you.

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Porsche’s EV sales took a hit last year, but the electric Macan sparks hope

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Porsche's EV sales took a hit last year, but the electric Macan sparks hope

Although sales of Porsche’s first EV, the Taycan, fell nearly 50% in 2024, things could be looking up for the sports car maker. After its “launch literally electrified us,” the electric Porsche Macan may spark a comeback this year.

Why did Porsche’s EV sales drop in 2024?

Porsche delivered over 310,700 vehicles globally last year, or about 9,500 less than in 2023. Sales in China led the downfall, plunging 28% from the prior year amid a wave of low-cost domestic EVs entering the market.

In total, Porsche delivered 20,836 Taycan EVs to customers last year, down 49% from 2023. The lower total comes after launching the upgraded 2025 Taycan last year. Porsche also said, “The ramp-up of electric mobility is generally proceeding more slowly than planned” as part of the reason.

In its largest sales market, North America, Porsche delivered over 86,500 vehicles in 2024. Although that’s up a mere 1% from 2023, Porsche’s EV sales also took a hit.

Porsche sold 4,747 Taycan models in the US last year, 37% fewer than in 2023. The 2025 model began arriving at US dealerships last Summer, which helped push sales up nearly 75% in the fourth quarter to 2,358.

Porsche's-EV-sales-2024
2025 Porsche Taycan (Source: Porsche)

Meanwhile, Porsche’s second EV, the electric Macan, could have an even bigger impact. After delivering the first models at the end of September, Porsche delivered 18,278 electric Macans by the end of 2024.’

“This launch literally electrified us. I am therefore particularly pleased that more than 18,000 examples of the all-electric variant have already been delivered,” Porsche AG board member for sales and marketing, Detlev von Platen, said.

Porsche's-EV-sales-2024
Porsche Macan Electric (Source: Porsche)

Porsche sold 2,771 electric Macan SUVs in the US last year. On a call with reporters (via Automotive News), the company’s North American CEO, Timo Resch, said, “A lot of the consumers that come into the Macan Electric are [new to the] brand.”

Electrek’s Take

I’m not here to say the electric Macan will be Porsche’s savior, but the strong sales start is promising. Porsche has already backtracked on plans for 80% of deliveries to be electric by 2030.

According to recent reports, the electric Cayenne, due out in 2026, could be delayed depending on market demand. The upcoming 718 Cayman and Boxster EVs could also face delays as Porsche plans to keep gas and hybrid models alive longer than expected.

Looking ahead, Porsche also plans to introduce an ultra-luxury electric SUV to sit above the Cayenne, codenamed “K1” internally. It’s expected to compete with Range Rover and Ferrari’s first electric SUVs.

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Elon Musk complains Tesla is not getting subsidies for electric truck chargers while calling for end of EV subsidies

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Elon Musk complains Tesla is not getting subsidies for electric truck chargers while calling for end of EV subsidies

Elon Musk complains that Tesla is not getting subsidies for its electric truck chargers while calling for the end of electric vehicle subsidies in the US.

Earlier this week, the Biden administration released the last round of funding for electric vehicle charging stations before the President leaves office.

Tesla has been trying to secure part of that funding for its TESSERACT project, which was first announced in 2023 to create a corridor of 9 charging stations for electric trucks between California and Texas.

However, it wasn’t included in any round of funding, including the latest one announced this week, which should be the latest now that Trump is getting into office and campaigned on ending electric vehicle subsidies.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk contributed more than $240 million to get Trump elected and supported his goal of removing subsidies for electric vehicles.

That’s why it’s surprising to see Musk comment on the news in disappointment. He wrote on X: “Hear we go again (sigh)”.

While this specific project wasn’t funded, 49 other projects shared over $600 million in funding that will deploy more than 11,500 EV charging ports across 27 states, four federally recognized tribes, and the District of Columbia.

Also, while Tesla didn’t get any funding in this round, Tesla has received millions in funding for its charging stations in the previous round.

Electrek’s Take

I think that’s fair. If you are actively lobbying for the end of EV subsidies in the US, a market that is far behind the rest of the world in EV adoption, why should the administration that is investing in correcting that give you the subsidies you are trying to end?

It makes no sense. That’s why I also support California in signaling that if the Federal government removes its EV subsidies, it will replace them at the state level, but Tesla will be left out.

It’s especially fair considering Elon has made it clear that the reason he wants to kill EV subsidies, which Tesla was the biggest beneficiary of, is that he believes it will put more pressure on the competition than Tesla and potentially kill them while only Tesla will remain.

He basically wants to pull the ladder that Tesla used to get where it is now to prevent others from using it.

“Subsidies for me, not for thee” – Elon’s new motto.

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New York is now coming for your fast and heavy electric bikes

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New York is now coming for your fast and heavy electric bikes

The US electric bike industry has already seen a regulation-heavy start to 2025. Now, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s potential new restrictions on fast and exceedingly heavy electric bikes could add to the proposed and enacted legislation we’ve seen lately.

Hochul proposed in her State of the State address yesterday that Class 3 electric bikes weighing over 100 lb (45 kg) be excluded from existing electric bicycle regulations and instead be treated more like mopeds.

That would mean imposing motor vehicle regulations resulting in licensing and registration requirements, as well as disallowing their use in bike lanes.

The governor explained that this new regulation would ideally help increase the safety of bike lanes, according to Streetsblog NYC.

wallke h6 electric bike

As a reminder, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can reach a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) on motor power, with Class 2 e-bikes including a throttle that allows motor use without requiring the pedals to be used. In most states, Class 3 e-bikes can reach higher speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h) with pedal assist but not throttle. However, New York State has stricter Class 3 limits that provide for speeds up to just 25 mph (40 km/h).

The proposed new regulations would only target Class 3 e-bikes that exceed the suggested weight limit of 100 lb (45 kg).

Most electric bikes weigh well under 100 lb (45 kg). Common e-bikes seen regularly on US streets and bike lanes weigh between 50-75 lb (23 to 34 kg). However, there are some e-bike models available on the market that can reach or exceed 100 lb (45 kg). We’ve tested a few of them.

Such heavy electric bikes are usually visually similar to mopeds and light electric motorcycles, often featuring large tires, heavy motors, dual suspension, chunky frames, and other components that add significant weight. However, many heavy electric bicycles are limited to 20 mph (32 km/h), and could exceed the arbitrary 100 lb (45 kg) proposed limit while still not falling under this proposed regulation due to their Class 2 designation.

Dual motors, dual batteries, extra chunky, but still under 100 lb

Electrek’s Take

At face value, there’s some logic to this. A 100 lb electric bike has a lot more rolling mass than a 50 lb electric bike, and you can guess which one I’d rather get hit by. Though at the same time, when the rider nearly always weighs more than the vehicle, the weight of the e-bike certainly has a lower relevance to its safety. With a 200 lb (91 kg) rider on both bikes, we’re only talking about a relatively small 20% difference in mass.

And it’s a bit telling that there wasn’t much discussion in the State of the State address about any other road safety issues, certainly not about the several thousand-pound cars that actually kill many New Yorkers every year.

I’m not saying I don’t support reasonable regulations to ensure the safety of everyone, in the bike lanes and outside of them. But let’s get real here. The percentage of electric bikes that are 100+ lb is tiny, likely under 1-2% of all e-bikes on the road. And that’s a tiny slice of an entire pie that is itself a tiny slice of the injury-causing-vehicle pie. So I’m not saying there isn’t any good regulation opportunity out there for e-bikes. But this is all fluff on top of fluff if you think it’s actually about making a meaningful impact on road safety. If they really cared about better protecting cyclists, governments would enforce existing laws to prevent cars from killing them so frequently.

These types of clumsy, heavy-handed regulations are just that – quick and dirty attempts to appear to be working towards a solution, when in fact they are largely meaningless in their ultimate impact on protecting lives.

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