Kia is taking its electric PBV vans to a new overseas market after securing a local sales contract in Japan. The fit-for-purpose EV vans are part of Kia’s plans to become a leading total mobility solutions provider. Kia’s first electric PBV van was recently spotted in the wild ahead of its official launch.
Kia unveiled its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business plans at the 2024 CES in Las Vegas. The new PBVs are designed as total mobility solutions or fit-for-purpose EVs loaded with advanced software.
According to Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, the PBVs are tailor-made electric vans that “go beyond the traditional concept of automobiles.”
Kia says its PBVs, with their spacious, flexible interiors, “open the door to new businesses and lifestyles.” The electric vans can be used for business or personal use. Ideal clients would include delivery or transport services or even someone looking for a custom van to travel around in.
With three models (PV1, PV5, and PV7), Kia plans to cover all segments. The first due to hit the market is the mid-size PV5.
The PV5 will be available in different configurations, including basic (passenger van), van (for transport and delivery), and chassis (think of a pickup truck bed).
Kia to launch electric vans in another overseas market
We already knew Kia was planning to launch PBVs in Europe. Last week, Kia’s electric vans made their European debut at IAA Hanover.
On Tuesday, Kia announced plans to launch electric vans in another key overseas region. After signing a new local sales contract with Sojitz, Kia said it will sell PBVs in Japan starting in 2026.
The agreement comes as demand for small and medium-sized EV vans is expected to continue rising in Japan. Japan’s carbon-neutral policy calls for 30% of new car sales to be electric by 2030, and vans will play a significant role.
Kia will sell electric vans in Japan through its partnership with Sojitz, a leading local trading company.
Like in other markets, Kia’s PV5 will be the first PBV to hit the market. The partnership kicks off Kia’s plans to expand Japan’s electric van market by working with local companies to create a “PBV ecosystem” with bidirectional charging technology and more.
Kia will introduce new EV van models in Japan in the future, including the PV7, as it looks to secure global leadership.
A sneak peek
Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s PV5 electric van was spotted out testing last week. Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia shows the boxy PV5 design. The prototype shown in January features a bold design to stand out in the electric era.
The electric van will challenge Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz in Europe. Although prices have not been officially revealed, the PV5 is expected to start at around $39,000 (€35,000) in Europe.
In comparison, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz starts at around $70,000 (€64,581) in Germany, including VAT. In the US, VW’s electric van starts at $61,545.
All PBV models will be built at Kia’s new dedicated Autoland Hwaseong plant in Korea. Set to open next year, the plant is expected to have up to 150,000 annual unit capacity. By the end of the decade, that number could double to around 300,000.
Several automakers and startups, including Ford, GM, VW, Rivian, and others, are looking to enter the growing EV van market.
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The Mockingbird Solar Center, Ørsted’s largest solar project globally, is now online, next to protected prairie donated by the renewable energy giant.
This massive 468-megawatt (MW) solar farm is set to power 80,000 homes and businesses, providing a major boost to the Texas grid.
But the launch of Mockingbird Solar isn’t just about clean energy – it’s also about restoring precious ecosystems. Ørsted has donated 953 acres of the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland, which sits next to the solar center, to The Nature Conservancy. The donated land is now the Smiley Meadow Preserve, a protected area for tallgrass prairie that’s home to more than 400 species of grasses and wildflowers.
Tallgrass prairies are some of the rarest ecosystems in the US, with less than 1% of Texas’ original tallgrass prairies still in existence. Tallgrass prairie does a lot of heavy lifting for the environment, including storing carbon, preventing floods, and providing crucial habitats for pollinators.
“Native prairies are the rarest landscapes left in Texas – so much so that many people have never seen one,” said David Bezanson, land protection strategy program director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas. He added that preserving Smiley Meadow will not only conserve one of the best prairie remnants left but also help restore other prairie habitats and boost regional biodiversity.
The Mockingbird Solar Center, a half-billion-dollar project, is part of Ørsted’s $20 billion push to expand renewable energy production across the US. Beyond generating electricity, it will inject $75 million into local property taxes, benefiting schools and other public services. The project also created over 550 construction jobs and will continue to be supported by operations staff moving forward.
Ørsted worked with US companies, including First Solar, for solar panels and partnered with local businesses like Drake Construction and Pfifer Farms for construction materials. It also gave more than $50,000 to local volunteer fire departments in Roxton and Brookston.
With Mockingbird Solar now up and running, Ørsted has more than 6 gigawatts of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage projects either in operation or being built across the US.
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CNBC’s Jim Cramer on Friday said companies related to natural gas and oil will thrive under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration and a majority Republican Congress.
“We’re hearing about all sorts of Trump trades right now, and many of these things have made insane moves in less than three weeks, to the point where, actually, they’re feeling precarious to me,” he said. “If you want a sustainable Trump trade, I say bet on the natural gas ecosystem. This is an industry that already had a lot going for it, it just needed some cooperation from the federal government, which it is about to get.”
President Joe Biden’s administration is largely opposed to fossil fuels, Cramer said, and the federal government has worked to block pipelines and paused new liquified gas export authorizations. This dynamic, coupled with a weaker global economy, caused the sector to underperform for much of the year, he suggested. But Trump has shown more favor to the industry, and Cramer pointed out that he tapped prominent oil executive Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy.
Cramer recommended several stocks in the sector, including energy producers EQT and Coterra. The former is focused on natural gas and recently acquired peer Equitrans, raising the combined company’s valuation to an estimated $35 billion, Cramer noted. He added that Coterra is a good long-term holding and called the company “one of the shrewdest operators in the industry.”
He highlighted pipeline companies, including Energy Transfer and Kinder Morgan, and said he was especially bullish on Enbridge. Enbridge says it transports about 20% of all natural gas consumed in the U.S., and Cramer claimed the Canadian outfit has “strategically located assets.”He also named Cheniere and Sempra, saying the former is the “best play” for liquified natural gas exports.
“Seasonally, this is a good time for the commodity,” he said, pointing out that natural gas itself has climbed since the election. “But I also think there’s some optimism about the future of the industry driving this move.”
Jeep’s first global luxury electric SUV will arrive at US dealerships any day. Despite its $72,000 price tag, lease prices for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV start at just $599 per month.
Jeep claims the Wagoneer S packs “exhilarating performance.” With 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, the big-body SUV can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Its 100 kWh battery pack also gives it a driving range of over 300 miles.
The electric SUV is unmistakably still a Jeep, but it did get several upgrades to distinguish it as an EV. The grille is now enclosed without the need to cool a massive engine, giving it a sporty, more modern look.
Jeep revamped its design with a new illuminated seven-slot grille with ambient cast lightning. It also fine-tuned its profile, adding flush door handles, a rear wing, and integrated fins for better airflow.
The first Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition models get exclusive dark accent design elements like 20″ Gloss Black Wheels.
Inside, the electric SUV is loaded with the latest tech and connectivity, including a best-in-class 45″ of usable screen space. The setup includes a 12.3″ center screen and an exclusive 10.25″ interactive front passenger screen.
Jeep already announced that the 2024 Wagoneer S EV will start at $71,995, but now the company has revealed lease prices for the first time.
According to Jeep, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition can be leased for $599 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). The deal includes $4,999 due at signing and a $7,500 EV incentive. However, you may want to act fast, as Jeep’s offer is only good until December 2, 2024.
Jeep Wagoneer S vs Tesla Model Y
Starting Price
Range
Lease Price
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition
$71,995
+300 miles
$599/mo
Tesla Model Y RWD
$44,990
320 miles
$299/mo
Tesla Model Y AWD
$47,990
308 miles
$399/mo
Tesla Model Y AWD Performance
$51,490
279 miles
$599/mo
In comparison, Tesla Model Y RWD lease prices start at $299 for 36 months with $2,999 down (10,000 miles). The Performance AWD model starts at $599 per month. In an end-of-year promo, Tesla also offers 3 months of free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving.
Ready to drive off in your new electric SUV? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to view offers on the Jeep Wagoneer S and Tesla Model Y at a dealer near you.
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