Kia held an opening ceremony for its first EV-only plant, “EVO,” as it looks to establish itself as a leading electric vehicle maker. Kia’s new low-cost EV3 and EV4 models are the first electric cars scheduled for mass production. The new facility will kick off a new era for Kia, with the capacity to build 150,000 EVs annually.
Kia opens its first EV-only plant to boost output
The EVO Plant is the Hyundai Motor Group’s first EV-only plant. Kia held the completion ceremony on Friday at Autoland Gwangmyeong in South Korea.
“The completion of the Kia Gwangmyeong EVO Plant marks the first step for Kia to become a leading electric vehicle brand,” Kia’s CEO, Choi Joon-young, said at the event. Kia will use the facility to boost the output of its next-gen electric vehicles.
With the EV3 already in mass production, Kia is preparing to “show you a new history of electric vehicles.”
After opening EV3 pre-orders in Korea in June, starting at just $30,700 (KRW 42.08 million), Kia’s compact electric SUV secured over 10,000 reservations in just 23 days. The company is already calling the EV3 a “game-changer” in its home market.
In Europe, the Kia’s new EV starts at around $40,000 (36,0000 euros) with up to 372 miles (599 km) WLTP range.
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)
The EV3 is Kia’s third dedicated all-electric vehicle, following the EV6 sedan and three-row EV9 SUV.
“A new history of electric vehicles”
In the first half of 2025, Kia will begin building its first compact electric sedan, the EV4. According to Kia, the EV4 is an “entirely new type of EV sedan. “
Like the EV3, Kia’s smaller electric sedan will pull much of the design and tech from its flagship EV9.
Kia EV4 (left) and EV3 (right) Source: Kia
We’ve already caught a glimpse of the EV4 after it was spotted in Europe testing in July. Last month, a hatchback model was also caught testing, likely aimed at the European market (you can see the video here).
The EV4 is expected to start in the $35,000 to $40,000 price range, with deliveries scheduled for next year.
Kia EV3 trim
Range
Starting Price
Starting Price After Incentives
Standard
217 mi (350 km)
$30,700 (KRW 42.08 million)
$29,200 (KRW 39.95 million)
Earth
Standard: 217 mi (350 km) Long Range: 311 mi (501 km)
$33,400 (KRW 45.71 million)
N/A
GT Line
Standard: 217 mi (350 km) Long Range: 311 mi (501 km)
$34,100 (KRW 46.66 million)
N/A
Long Range
311 mi (501 km)
$34,100 (KRW 46.66 million)
$32,200 (KRW 44.15)
Kia EV3 price and range by trim in Korea
A Kia official said the “EV3 and EV4 will play a very important role in popularizing electric vehicles.” They added, “We will show you a new history of electric vehicles at the Gwangmyeong EVO Plant.”
Kia will use its new EVO plant as a key production base. It will have the capacity to build 150,000 EVs annually.
Kia opens its first EV-only plant (Source: Hyundai Motor Group)
As early as next month, Hyundai will open its massive new $7.6 billion Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia. The facility just secured its 18th supplier this week as it builds an extensive US network.
The first vehicle to roll off the assembly line will be the new 2025 IONIQ 5 with more range and a Tesla NACS charging port. Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, will also make its first appearance later this year.
To further reduce EV costs, Hyundai and Kia launched a new LFP battery project this week to develop new battery materials for safer, lower-priced electric vehicles.
Source: Hyundai Motor Group
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Logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images
U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 4% on Sunday, after OPEC+ agreed to surge production for a second month.
U.S. crude was down $2.49, or 4.27%, to $55.80 a barrel shortly after trading opened. Global benchmark Brent fell $2.39, or 3.9%, to $58.90 per barrel. Oil prices have fallen more than 20% this year.
The eight producers in the group, led by Saudi Arabia, agreed on Saturday to increase output by another 411,000 barrels per day in June. The decision comes a month after OPEC+ surprised the market by agreeing to surge production in May by the same amount.
The June production hike is nearly triple the 140,000 bpd that Goldman Sachs had originally forecast. OPEC+ is bringing more than 800,000 bpd of additional supply to the market over the course of two months.
Oil prices in April posted the biggest monthly loss since 2021, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have raised fears of a recession that will slow demand at the same time that OPEC+ is quickly increasing supply.
Oilfield service firms such as Baker Hughes and SLB are expecting investment in exploration and production to decline this year due to the weak price environment.
“The prospects of an oversupplied oil market, rising tariffs, uncertainty in Mexico and activity weakness in Saudi Arabia are collectively constraining international upstream spending levels,” Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call on April 25.
Oil majors Chevron and Exxon reported first-quarter earnings last week that fell compared to the same period in 2024 due to lower oil prices.
Goldman is forecasting that U.S. crude and Brent prices will average $59 and $63 per barrel, respectively, this year.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
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Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
ComEd press conference at Chicago Drives Electric, 2024; by the author.
Bodo G-Wagon electric golf cart; via Mecum Auctions.
With a fully-enclosed, G-Wagen-inspired body and an 80 mile electric range, the Bodo G-Wagon golf cart is the NEV you need when you decide it’s time to get serous one-upping the rest of the Palm Beach country clubbers.
The shiny black 2024 Bodo G-Wagon sold at Mecum Auctions last month for $31,900, which seems like it might not be a lot of money to the sort of person who decides to take a flyer on a goofy, limited-use EV that ships with real, metal doors, power windows, heating and air conditioning, fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment, and a “posh,” caramel leather interior.
It even has windshield wipers, power steering, and a rear-seat entertainment system that’s built into the front headrests!
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It’s really nice in there
Under the hood, the Bodo packs a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor drawing power from a 10 kWh li-ion battery that won’t deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time (it only goes 35), but will deliver you and your buddies from one end of any golf course in North America and back several times over, thanks to the G-Wagon’s 80 mile range.
The official Mecum Auctions listing goes into a bit more detail, and I’ve included it here, in case it gets deleted after a while and you’re just finding this for the first time in 2027:
Be the envy of any country club or golf community showing up with this 2024 Bodo G-Wagon Golf Cart. Perhaps more appropriately known as an E-Wagon, this baby G-Wagon is powered by a 15kW motor with a 10kWh lithium battery. Boasting an 80-mile range and a 35 MPH top speed, the Bodo is an enclosed, luxury golf cart that pampers occupants with heating and air conditioning, rear-seat entertainment, power windows, power locks and a posh, caramel-colored interior. With the Bodo fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with brake boost, drivers will think they’re in a full-size G-Wagon, thanks to the multiscreen entertainment cluster, the rearview camera, windshield wipers, turn signals, running lights and so much more.
Finished in black with the right amount of brightwork, the overall vibe is one of jaw-dropping, smile-inducing fun. While the Bodo would be an excellent choice for any golf community, it should also prove to be hugely popular around a race track or car condo community as well, or maybe even a neighborhood with its own airplane runways. Over the past decade in particular, the demand for unique, luxury golf carts has been on the rise, and understandably so. The number of luxury communities with specific interests in sports, aero and auto has also been on the rise, with people buying homes in these exclusive locations to better engage with like-minded people. All too often a golf cart is the perfect way to get around these gated neighborhoods, and this one is enclosed, comes with the amenities of a full-size car and is infinitely more stylish.
You can check out a few more photos of the 2024 Bodo G-Wagon golf cart that sold at Mecum, below – and if you want one for yourself, you’re in luck! I found this brand-new 2025 “G600 E-Wagon” (in white) for $23,900 at Gulf Carts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Head on down to the comments and let us know if you buy it.
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