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Kia is following in Ford’s footsteps after suddenly announcing plans to introduce more hybrids as it expects slower EV demand. To boost sales and fend off low-cost Chinese rivals, Kia will introduce a new lineup of affordable EVs in addition to hybrids starting this year.

After global sales slipped 2% last month, Kia is shaking things up with a new mid-to-long-term business plan.

The new strategy, revealed at Kia’s 2024 CEO Investor Day on Friday, is centered around electrification. Kia announced that it is shifting its electric vehicle plans to include more hybrids and affordable EVs.

Since its major re-brand in 2021, Kia has made noticeable changes in its products, design, and marketing efforts.

Kia’s president, Song Ho-Sung, announced Friday that “We are responding effectively to changes in the automobile market” with a new mid-to-long-term strategy.

The company is actively responding to changes in the market with increased competition and geopolitical uncertainties. In response to “the slowdown in EV demand growth,” Kia plans to launch more hybrids while introducing new low-cost electric models.

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Kia limited edition Forest Green EV6 (Source: Kia)

Kia expects the EV growth rate will be slower than expected from now until 2026 due to a deteriorating global economy and decreased subsidies.

Kia to strengthen lineup with new hybrids, affordable EVs

The Korean automaker is launching hybrid versions of its most popular models, like the Carnival HEV, launched last year. Kia plans to have six HEVs in its lineup this year, eight in 2026, and nine in 2028.

With the new models, Kia expects hybrids to account for 12% of global sales, or around 372,000 units this year. In 2028, Kia expects the number to rise to 19% of sales, with around 800,000 units sold.

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

Kia is not abandoning fully electric cars. It plans to boost demand by launching a series of new affordable EVs.

Kia will introduce six affordable EVs in major markets, including North America, Korea, and Europe. These will include the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5, revealed during Kia EV Day in October.

The new EVs are part of Kia’s wide-ranging lineup covering nearly all segments with prices between $30,000 and $80,000.

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Kia EV5 electric SUV (Source: Kia)

Kia expects sales of its low-cost EV models to reach 131,000 this year (43% of EV sales), 263,000 in 2025 (55% of EV sales), and 587,000 in 2026, or 66% of total electric car sales.

Kia already launched the EV5 in China with starting prices of around $20,000 (149,800 yuan), undercutting much of the competition. In Australia, it’s expected to start at around $46,000 (AUD 70,000).

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Kia EV3 concept (Source: Kia)

The EV3 is expected to launch this year (If not early 2025) starting at around $30,000 as the brand’s “vision of an all-electric compact crossover.” It takes much of the tech and design of its flagship EV9 and puts it into a smaller, more affordable package.

Kia’s EV4, an entry-level electric sedan, is expected to follow next year with starting prices around $35,000.

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Kia EV4 concept (Source: Kia)

Two of Kia’s dedicated EV factories in Korea are expanding production of low-cost models as the brand looks to fend off low-cost Chinese rivals like BYD.

Kia expects overall EV sales to reach 307,000 this year, 1.147 million in 2027, and 1.6 million in 2030. The brand will continue advancing battery tech to improve the range and energy density of its vehicles.

Electrek’s Take

Kia is following Ford (and several others), which announced plans to delay its three-row electric SUV this week. Like Kia, Ford is looking to fill the gap with hybrids and affordable EVs.

However, Ford’s new low-cost electric vehicles will not be available until 2026. They are expected to include a smaller electric pickup and SUV, starting at around $25,000.

Kia already has an affordable EV and is expected to launch several more by 2026. The Korean automaker also introduced a three-row electric SUV to the market with the EV9.

In the US, Kia EV9 sales topped 4,000 in the first three months of 2024 after launching late last year. The EV9 starts at under $55,000 and has more rear legroom than the Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover P400 3-row, both of which cost over $80,000.

The shift to hybrids and lower-cost EVs comes as Kia sees global economic conditions deteriorating. Kia is still planning to transition to EVs, but due to the global economy, the automaker sees demand for EVs slowing over the next two years. It believes lower-cost models will help fill in the gap.

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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.

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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.

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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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