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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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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The feces-filled freight train of dystopian horrors rolls on with the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill and the untimely demise of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. But if you’re ready to pull the trigger on a new EV this month, you’re in luck! There are plenty of great options with zero interest financing to choose from … and one with zero interest in general.
We’re doing things a little differently this month. Instead of brief write-ups, we’re highlighting the most significant 0% deal of the month (yes, that is largely opinion-based – thanks for noticing), and an “honorable mention” that doesn’t quite fit the 0% EV deal template … but might still be worth checking out.
Don’t act surprised – my Twitter handle is VolvoJo, after all, and I’m on my fifth consecutive long-roof Swede as I type this. As such, when trying out a new format for this monthly column it made perfect sense to check out the Ironmark’s offers … and I found a good one: a new, not perfect but getting there seven-passenger EX90 at 1.99% financing plus $1,000 in “Summer Safety Bonus Cash.”
Is zero interest financing good enough to overcome the fact that most people seem to have zero interest in buying a CT these days? Is the Volvo worth a look at 1.99% with an additional $1,000 cash back? Let us know your take in the comments – but before you do that, check out the full list of 0% interest EV deals for July 2025 and click the links for additional local deals.
July 0% interest EV deals
Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from CarsDirect, CarEdge, and (where mentioned) the OEM websites – and were current as of 07JUL2025. These deals may not be available in every market, with every discount, or for every buyer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied).
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The new Lectric XP Trike2, just unveiled today, is the hands-down winner in the best-bang-for-your-buck category of electric trikes. And as perhaps the longest-running electric bike reviewer in the industry, I can say that with confidence. I’ve seen a lot of electric bikes in my time. I’ve spent a lot of butt-in-saddle hours on e-trikes. But I’ve never before seen a value like this roll by on three wheels.
As an able-bodied, mid-30s electric bike rider (and writer), I’ll be the first to say that electric trikes aren’t just for older folks. They’re fun e-bikes in their own right. But let’s face it – the vast majority of the market for electric three-wheelers are those who just aren’t as comfortable on two wheels due to age, accessibility, or other reasons. And so if you’re a senior or otherwise on the hunt for a fun and affordable electric trike, the Lectric XP Trike2 is probably the one you’re going to end up getting, and deservingly so!
If you don’t know Lectric eBikes, they’re the Phoenix-based e-bike company that took the US by storm in the early 2020s, quickly growing into the #1 best-selling e-bike company on the continent. They started with the ultra affordable, high-value XP line of e-bikes, and then took that same recipe to other types of e-bikes, from cargo bikes to off-roaders, and now to trikes.
The new XP Trike2 is the latest generation of their best-selling e-trike, and it’s absolutely better than ever.
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First of all though, let’s look at what stayed the same. The ultra-affordable price of $1,499 remains untouched, keeping this not only one of the best e-trikes on the market, but also the most affordable. It also keeps the low step-over height for easy mounts and dismounts, the folding frame to help riders transport it more easily, and the powerful motor that makes it a great hill climber.
Other than those features, basically everything else has received an upgrade.
First of all, we now get included suspension with a 50mm suspension fork up front. The frame has been redesigned with a new hydroformed aluminum downtube and a more stable footprint. The stem angle has been modified to make it more comfortable and allow a more upright, relaxed riding posture. A more powerful and longer-range version of the Trike2 is also available, upgrading the motor with 50% more power for even better hill climbing, as well as including a torque sensor for more responsive pedaling and a longer-range battery.
The included TFT color screen is a major upgrade over the older model, and there are even six new colors to choose from, which is a major improvement over the original XP Trike’s color option list of… one.
Base model versus the long-range upgrade
Both the base model (Lectric XP Trike2 500) and the higher-spec option (XP Trike2 750) are compelling options, but they’ll likely serve different types of riders.
Even the base model comes with a reasonably large 13 Ah (624 Wh) battery, which is already going to give most riders at least 30 miles of range (or a claimed 50 miles if using low power pedal assist and riding slower). Plus, the 500W motor is actually much more powerful, likely peaking at closer to 1,000W of actual power. That’s the “oomph” that riders will feel when climbing hills. And for many folks, that’s plenty. Plus, the $1,499 price of the XP Trike2 500 is quite attractive.
But riders who want to upgrade to the XP Trike2 750, the higher price of $1,799 does come with some nice upgrades. First of all, the higher power 750W motor will be that much better at climbing hills, helping riders up steeper inclines, or just maintaining higher speeds up the same slopes. Next, the larger 17.5 Ah (840 Wh) battery is going to give more range, to the tune of nearly 50 miles with mixed riding (or the claimed 70 miles if using lower power pedal assist and staying off the throttle). The other benefit of a bigger battery is that it simply doesn’t need to be charged as often. Even if you’re riding around at 10 mph for an hour each day, that’s a week of riding before you have to think about recharging the battery.
The last significant upgrade on the 750W model is a torque sensor, which is a more refined pedal assist sensor that results in a more natural feeling ride when pedaling. For riders who only use the throttle, there’s not much benefit to a torque sensor. But for anyone who actually wants to pedal along and get a bit of fitness in, the torque sensor means the acceleration and the riding just better mimic the natural feel of bicycle pedaling, making it more like real pedaling – albeit if you had the legs and muscle definition of a professional cyclist.
All of this is to say: The base model with 500W of power is likely sufficient for most riders, but that extra $300 does offer better hill climbing, more power, longer range, and a nicer pedaling experience – which may be important for some riders.
Lectric may have announced the XP Trike2 today, but they aren’t quite ready to ship. In something of a throwback to Lectric’s early days, the bikes are available on pre-order. Orders placed now get priority, with the 500W model shipping later this month (July 2025). The 750W models will take a bit longer, with current orders expected to ship by September.
It’s a bit of a delayed gratification situation, but if the XP Trike2 is anything like the original (and it looks to be even better), then these bikes are absolutely going to be worth the wait!
Electrek’s Take
Once again, Lectric has left all the other e-bike makers fighting over second place. My hat is off to the company – time and again they have surprised us with increasingly better e-bike generations at increasingly the same price. Each time they roll out a bike, they give us more and more, all without touching the price tag.
The XP Trike2 follows that strategy perfectly, though it definitely looks like they’re hoping the XP Trike2 750 will bring slightly fatter margins – perhaps making up for just how ridiculously affordable the XP Trike2 500 is. And while I think the lower power model will be sufficient for most people, that bigger battery, beefier motor, and nicer torque sensor do sound like a tempting upgrade.
I haven’t ridden the XP Trike2 yet, but I will be on it soon and I can’t wait to share the experience with you guys. In the meantime, let’s hear what you think about the new e-trike in the comment section below!
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Japanese equipment giant Kubota brought 22 new or updated machines to the 2025 bauma expo earlier this year, but tucked away in the corners was a new retrofit kit that can help existing customers decarbonize more quickly, and more affordably.
The latest equipment maker to put its name on the retrofit list is Kubota, who says its kit can be installed by a trained dealer in a single day.
That’s right! By this time tomorrow, your diesel-powered Kubota KX019 or U27-4 excavator (shown) could be fitted with an 18 or 20 kWh li-ion battery pack and electric drive motors and ready to get to work in a low-noise or low-vibration work environment where emissions are a strict no-no. Think indoor precision demolition or historic archeological excavation.
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Then, if necessary, it can go right back to diesel power.
Kubota says its modular retrofit kits is a response to the increasing global demand for sustainable alternatives by focusing on making machinery that’s flexible and repairable enough to be “reusable,” and offer construction fleet managers a longer operational lifespan, superior ROI (return on investment), and lower TCO (total cost of ownership) than the competition.
Kubota’s solution also notably reduces maintenance costs and operational overheads. With no engine and associated components, servicing time and expenses are considerably reduced, saving customers both time and money. Additionally, with electricity costing far less than fossil fuels, it offers a highly economical advantage.
International Rental News reports that other changes to the excavators include a more modern cab controls with a digital instrument cluster, a 60 mm wider undercarriage for more stability, and an independent travel circuit allows operators to use the boom, dipper, bucket, and auxiliary functions without an impact on tracking performance.
Kubota’s new kit, first shown at last year’s Hillhead exhibition in the UK, will officially be on sale this summer – any day now, in fact – though pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
If you’re wondering how it is that we’re still talking about bauma 2025 a full quarter after the show wrapped up, then I haven’t done a good enough job of explaining how positively massive the show was. Check out this Quick Charge episode (above) then let us know what you think of Kubota’s modular power kits in the comments.
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