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Lease deals get all the hype, but some people still want to own the car they’ve made all those payments on. If that’s you, and you’ve been waiting for interest rates to drop, you’re in luck: there’s a bunch of great plugin cars you can buy with 0% financing this month!

As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best EVs ..?” Too opinion based. “Cheapest EVs ..?” Too much research. In the end, I went with alphabetical order, by make. And as for which are the new deals? You’re just gonna have to read the article. Enjoy!

Chevrolet Silverado EV

2024 Chevy Silverado EV; via GM.

The Silverado EV may not present the best lease deal in the business, but it’s an extremely capable electric pickup that may be a great option to buy instead of lease, thanks to 0% financing for up to 48 months this October.

Click here to find a Chevy Silverado EV near you and arrange a test drive.

Hyundai IONIQ 5

Hyundai-IONIQ-5-lease-cash
Hyundai IONIQ 5; via Hyundai.

Hyundai set a new third-quarter retail sales record in the US, partially driven by strong demand for its all-electric IONIQ 5 crossover. Despite being an outgoing model, the IONIQ 5 remains one of the best-selling EVs in North America, with over 30,000 models sold through September.

And that pace is sure to continue accelerating, thanks to 0% financing for 60 months or $7,500 in Retail Bonus Cash offers on all versions of the 2024 IONIQ 5 through October 31st. Click here to see what it would cost to put an IONIQ 5 in your driveway.

Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe; via Stellantis.

While not much of an EV with “just” a 17.3 kWh battery, the PHEV version Jeep’s iconic Wrangler is by far the cheapest version to lease – a fact that’s seen the plugin 4xe become a popular choice. Now, it might be popular with people who want to buy a vehicle, too, thanks to 0% percent financing for up to 72 months on select models.

On a well-equipped configuration, CarsDirect estimates that 0% offer could translate to more tham $12,000 in lifetime savings. Click here to see if there’s an electrified off-roader in your area with your name on it.

Kia EV6

Kia EV6 in drift mode; via Kia.

The Kia EV6 made its global debut on a drag strip where the car ran against a Lamborghini, a Porsche, and an AMG Mercedes. At the finish line, the EV6 was more than holding its own against a flight of legitimate hypercars, and the stunt helped Kia establishing the EV6 as a genuinely quick alternative to the Model Y.

This October, you can put the supercar-baiting EV6 in your driveway with 0% financing for up to 72 months. Click here to find deals on a 2024 Kia EV6 near you.

Kia EV9

Kia-EV-sales-September
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line; via Kia.

If you were waiting for a three-row SUV from a mainstream brand with a great warranty and normal doors, you’ve probably already checked out the Kia EV9. You’re not alone. Kia keeps setting EV sales records, and the EV9 is helping to drive those sales forward.

Kia’s electrified sales train doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, either. In addition to seeing some substantial discounts out there, you can finance a Kia EV9 at 0% for 48 months through October.

Lexus RZ

2024 Lexus RZ; via Lexus.

Starting at $55,175, the Lexus RZ promises up to 266 miles of EPA-rated range from a 72.8 kWh battery back in the “base” RZ300e (and 224 from the top-shelf RZ450e). With up to 308 hp and over 195 lb-ft of instant torque, the RZ promises to be one Lexus’ sportier rides in any trim.

Carfax says select 2024 Lexus RZ models qualify for 0% financing for up to 72 months in some regions. Click here to check for Lexus RZ deals near you.

Subaru Soltera

2024-Subaru-Solterra
2024 Subaru Solterra; via Subaru.

The mechanical twin of the Toyota bZ4X EV, Subaru’s Solterra is a deeply discounted and surprisingly capable five-passenger electric crossover that backs up its outdoorsy vibes with more than enough utility to carry your mountain bikes to the trail or your kayaks to the river.

This month, you can pick up a new remaining 2023 or select 2024 Subaru Solterra EV with 0% financing for up to 72 months.

Volkswagen ID.4

VW-US-EVs
Volkswagen ID.4; via VW.

One of the most popular legacy EVs, the ID.4 offers Volkswagen build quality and (for 2024) a Chat-GPT enabled interface. Still, with a relatively affordable base price, lickety-quick charging, up to 291 miles of EPA-rated range, and a 5-star safety rating, the ID.4 offers a value proposition that’s tough to beat.

This month, the only way to beat the ID.4’s 0% financing for 72 months would be to convince the bank to pay you to buy it. Click here to find an ID.4 near you.

Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from CarsDirect and Carfax, and 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). Check with your local dealer(s) for more information.

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Google agrees to fund the development of three new nuclear sites

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Google agrees to fund the development of three new nuclear sites

People take photos in front of a giant Google logo at Google’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California on Aug 13, 2024 where the “Made by Google” media event was held today.

Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images

Nuclear developer Elementl Power said Wednesday it’s signed an agreement with Google to develop three sites for advanced reactors. It’s the latest example of tech giants teaming up with the nuclear industry in an effort to meet the vast energy needs of data centers. 

Google will commit early-stage development capital to the three projects, although the exact terms of the deal remain private. Each site will generate at least 600 megawatts of power capacity, and Google will have the option to buy the power once the sites are up and running. The proposed locations remain private, but Elementl said Google’s funding will be used for things like site permitting, securing interconnection rights to the transmission system, contract negotiations and other early-stage matters.

“Google is committed to catalyzing projects that strengthen the power grids where we operate, and advanced nuclear technology provides reliable, baseload, 24/7 energy,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, global head of data center energy at Google. 

“Our collaboration with Elementl Power enhances our ability to move at the speed required to meet this moment of AI and American innovation,” she added.

Elementl Power, which was founded in 2022 as a nuclear power project developer, hasn’t yet built any sites.

The company is currently technology agnostic, meaning it hasn’t yet chosen what type of reactor it will use at its sites. Rather, when the company is ready to begin construction it will choose the reactor technology that’s furthest along in development.

“Innovative partnerships like this are necessary to mobilize the capital required to build new nuclear projects, which are critical to deliver safe, affordable and clean baseload power and help companies advance their long-term net zero goals,” said Chris Colbert, Elementl Power’s chairman and CEO. Colbert was previously CFO, COO and chief strategy officer at NuScale Power, which is developing small modular reactors

Colbert added that once the projects reach a final investment stage Elementl will raise capital from other sources – for example infrastructure funds – to actually build the projects. The company is aiming to add 10 gigawatts of nuclear to the grid by 2035. 

In October, Google teamed up with small modular reactor company Kairos Power, pledging to buy power from the company’s fleet of reactors. At the time, Google said the first reactor would enter service by 2030, with more coming online through 2035.

Earlier this year, China’s AI startup DeepSeek prompted concerns that the improved efficiency of emerging AI models may reduce the need to invest in the build out new power sources to support data centers. However, tech leaders such as Amazon and Nvidia have since said the need for baseload power is continuing to grow at a quick pace.

In April, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark estimated 50 gigawatts of new power capacity will be needed by 2027 to support AI. That is the equivalent of about 50 new nuclear plants.

Catch up on the latest energy news from CNBC Pro:

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Tesla launches cheaper Model Y RWD in the US

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Tesla launches cheaper Model Y RWD in the US

Tesla has opened orders for the Model Y Long Range RWD for $45,000 in the US. It’s the new entry-level Model Y following the design refresh earlier this year.

Since launching the updated Model Y earlier this year, Tesla has only offered the best-selling electric SUV in a single Long-Range AWD configuration.

First, it was as a fully-loaded $60,000 Launch Edition, and last month, it started deliveries of the regular Model Y AWD starting at $49,000.

As we recently noted, Tesla didn’t have much of an order backlog for the new Model Y in the US, and it has already started gathering new Model Y AWD in inventory just weeks after launching the vehicle.

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Tesla even started offering subsidized financing rates on the new SUV this weekend.

Now, the automaker is starting to take orders for the new Model Y Long Range RWD

The new trim starts at $44,990 and enables 357 miles of range – an extra 30 miles over the AWD version.

However, due to its single motor powertrain, the lower-priced version is slightly slower with a 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds rather than 4.6 seconds.

The automaker says that deliveries of the new version will start in the US in the next 3 to 5 weeks. It launched the new Model Y RWD in Europe weeks ago.

Tesla also offers a Standard Range RWD in Europe and China for even cheaper, and deliveries have already started in China.

Electrek’s Take

Tesla appears to have waited to open orders for the Model Y RWD in the US to optimize demand for the Long Range AWD.

But now it needs a cheaper model to sustain demand at the current production rate.

In the coming weeks, it will start building a mix of RWD and AWD in Fremont and Austin to

Interestingly, Tesla currently only offers the subsidized 1.99% financing rate on the Model Y Long Range AWD. I would assume that Tesla plans to take advantage of the boost in demand that the cheaper model will create.

However, US buyers probably won’t have to wait more than a few weeks before Tesla starts to offer lower interest rates on all versions, like it already does in Europe and China.

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Big Mack, hydrogen Honda, and a ride in the Tesla Semi at ACT Expo 2025 [part 6]

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Big Mack, hydrogen Honda, and a ride in the Tesla Semi at ACT Expo 2025 [part 6]

On today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got some of the highlights of the 2025 ACT Expo, including the all-electric Windrose and Mack Pioneer Class 8s trucks, a hydrogen fuel sell [sic] from Honda, a fun charging surprise, and – after an eight year wait – we finally get a ride in the all-new (in 2017) Tesla Semi!

ACT Expo is North America’s premier clean truck and transport trade show – and for 2025 it was bigger than ever, with more exhibitors and more, more capable battery electric vehicles than ever. The downsides? NACFE have scored with their “messy middle” messaging, and the return of “clean diesel” talking points. We’ve got a brief rundown and links to all the details, below.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

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Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


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