Kia just made this ‘world first’ EV3 accessory out of plastic from the ocean
Kia doesn’t just build EVs for a cleaner future. The company wants to be a complete sustainable mobility solutions provider. As part of its efforts, Kia introduced a new “world first” EV3 accessory made from plastic found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It’s the first genuine Kia accessory made using reclaimed ocean plastic.
The EV3 was introduced during Kia’s first annual EV Day last October as part of its new affordable electric car lineup.
After opening pre-orders in June, starting at just over $30,000 (KRW 42.08 million), Kia’s compact electric SUV secured over 10,000 reservations in 23 days.
Kia’s vice president, Jeong Won-Jeong, is already calling the EV3 a “game changer” in its home market. Through its new E-Value program, Kia’s EV3 can be bought for as little as $67 per month.
In Europe, the EV3 starts at about $40,000 (36,000 euros) and can drive up to 372 miles (599 km) on a single charge.
Ahead of its US debut, Kia’s low-cost electric SUV has already been spotted testing on public roads (see the images here). The EV3 is expected to launch in the US by 2026, with prices starting around $30,000 to $35,000, which would make it among the cheapest EV options.
Kia EV3 gains new accessory made from ocean plastic
In 2022, Kia joined forces with The Ocean Cleanup to help clean up the world’s oceans. The support has already helped remove over one million pounds of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP).
The massive floating waste is the largest of its kind, covering an estimated 1.6 million sq km. Kia is finding a better way to use wasted plastic as part of its efforts.
Kia introduced the “first ever car accessory made using plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by The Ocean Cleanup” on Monday.
The accessory is a limited-edition trunk liner designed for the new Kia EV3. Kia said the trunk liner will be available in select markets. It will be available to order “in line” with the EV3 rolling out to new markets.
Kia called the new EV3 accessory “one of the most significant outcomes of the partnership so far.” The company’s executive vice president, Charles Ryu, said the partnership is “a worldwide movement to create cleaner, healthier oceans for future generations.”
As the first Kia accessory from recycled ocean plastic, the company sees “tangible progress made toward creating a circular resource system for ocean plastic.”
The trunk liner is reminiscent of waves and “the flow of trash into a collecting area.” Made from 40% reclaimed ocean plastic, the accessory is just as durable and functional as a conventional trunk liner, Kia claims.
Each trunk liner also includes a QR code that provides more information about the product’s development and Kia’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup.
Kia has introduced other eco-friendly materials, including recycled fishnets for flooring in its three-row EV9. The EV6 also uses cloth and matting from recycled plastics as part of Kia’s efforts.
To support its vision of becoming a global leader, Kia pledged to use over 20% sustainable materials in its vehicles by 2030.
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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