Connect with us

Published

on

Hyundai will finally unveil its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, at the LA Auto Show next week. With its debut around the corner, we are getting a sneak peek at the SUV’s “lounge-like” interior.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 will debut on November 21, 2024

The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 9 will make its first appearance at AutoMobility LA (LA Auto Show) on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Hyundai will hold a news conference inside the LA Convention Center to unveil its new flagship three-row electric SUV. The event will be live-streamed starting at 9:10 am PT (12:10 pm ET).

Although rumors claimed that Hyundai would reveal its new SUV at the LA Auto Show, this is the first time it has officially confirmed the debut date. Previously, the company left it open, saying it would make its first appearance in November.

Ahead of its official debut, Hyundai previewed the IONIQ 9’s “lounge-like” interior. Simon Loasby, head of Hyundai’s Design Center, boasted that “IONIQ 9 offers the ultimate lounge-like environment.”

The spacious and “nature-inspired” interior features Hyundai’s latest software and connectivity tech. Based on its advanced E-GMP platform, following the IONIQ 5 and 6, the larger SUV includes a flat floor for an open space cabin.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-debut
Hyundai teaser IONIQ 9 interior ahead of its debut (Source: Hyundai)

What to expect

Hyundai has been dropping new teasers leading up to its debut. Earlier this week, we got a look at the IONIQ 9’s new LED light bar, similar to the Tesla Cybertruck.

The IONIQ 9 features Hyundai’s new “Aerosthetic” design, which blends aerodynamics with a sleek aesthetic look.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-debut
Hyundai IONIQ 9 teaser (Source: Hyundai)

Although prices and specs have yet to be revealed, the IONIQ 9 is expected to be similar in size to the Kia EV9. Also based on the E-GMP platform, the EV9 is 197.2″ long, 77.9″ wide, 70.1″ tall, with a wheelbase of 122″. That’s about the size of its Telluride.

However, with its flat-floor design, the EV9 provides more rear legroom (42″) than a Cadillac Escalade.

Kia-EV9-interior
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line interior (Source: Kia)

Kia’s three-row EV9 starts at about $55,000, so IONIQ 9 prices are expected to start at about the same or slightly higher. More premium trims could cost upwards of $80,000.

The IONIQ 9 will be built at Hyundai’s massive new Metaplant America (HMGMA) alongside the updated 2025 IONIQ 5 model. The new 2025MY has more range, features, and an sleek new design. It even includes a Tesla NACS charging port, which the IONIQ 9 is also expected to feature.

Hyundai said all US-made EVs qualify for a $3,750 federal tax credit. However, once the battery portion of the plant opens, they are expected to be eligible for the full $7,500. Until then, Hyundai is passing the $7,500 on through leasing.

2025-Hyundai-IONIQ-5-prices
Hyundai’s new 2025 IONIQ 5 Limited with a Tesla NACS port (Source: Hyundai)

Last week, Hyundai announced that 2025 IONIQ 5 prices will start at $43,975 (including a $1,475 destination fee). The extended-range SE RWD trim, with a range of up to 318 miles, starts at $46,550.

Check back next week for all the details on the new IONIQ 9 SUV. And keep an eye out for more teasers leading up to its debut on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

With the new 2025 IONIQ 5 arriving at dealerships any day, Hyundai is offering clearance prices on 2024 models. You can use our link to find the best deals on Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 at a dealer near you.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Loren McDonald stops by Quick Charge to discuss EV charging, Paren, and more

Published

on

By

Loren McDonald stops by Quick Charge to discuss EV charging, Paren, and more

Leading electric vehicle analyst, author, and industry thought leaders Loren McDonald and Bill Ferro stop by Quick Charge to discuss EV Adoption’s acquisition by Paren, the “crisis” of EV charging reliability, and the real state of the EV market.

Depending on who you listen, EVs are either driving brands to record growth and are about cross that critical 10% of the overall market nationwide, or the future is bleak, the market is down, and EVs just aren’t selling. What’s really going on? Loren and Bill (probably) have some answers.

Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Click here to learn more.

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!

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!

Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Chevy EV owners in Texas now get free overnight home charging with Reliant

Published

on

By

Chevy EV owners in Texas now get free overnight home charging with Reliant

Chevy EV owners in Texas who have Reliant as their electric utility can now charge for free at night with renewable energy.

Over 150 Chevrolet dealerships across Texas are now offering the Reliant Free Charge Nights plan to new EV buyers. With Free Charge Nights, customers can offset their charging costs by receiving credits for electricity used between 11 pm and 6 am. The plan is powered entirely by renewable energy, thanks to the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).

Rasesh Patel, president of NRG Consumer, says the plan is about making power personal: “We’re excited to help Chevrolet EV drivers offset the cost of charging their vehicle all while having access to a renewable electricity plan.”

This collaboration aims to make EV adoption more appealing by making charging cheaper and greener. GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, Aseem Kapur, emphasized that partnerships like this help build the ecosystem needed to support an all-electric future: “The Reliant Free Charge Nights plan is a great example of how an automaker and an energy company can work together to make EV adoption an easy decision.”

Existing Reliant customers can also sign up for the Free Charge Nights plan. To get started, Chevrolet EV owners need to designate their vehicle on the GM Energy Smart Charging Portal before enrolling in the plan.

Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, serves over 1.5 million customers in Texas, making it one of the largest electricity providers in the state.

Read more: Texas to get 1 GW AI-powered virtual power plant, enough to power 200,000 homes


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Texas to get 1 GW AI-powered virtual power plant, enough to power 200,000 homes

Published

on

By

Texas to get 1 GW AI-powered virtual power plant, enough to power 200,000 homes

Texas is about to get a major power boost – a new AI-powered virtual power plant (VPP) delivering capacity equivalent to 200,000 homes during peak demand.

NRG Energy is teaming up with Renew Home to bring nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity to the Texas grid by 2035, aiming to make it more resilient while helping residents save on energy costs.

The new VPP will rely on hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats and other connected home devices, making use of AI technology provided by Google Cloud. These devices, like Vivint and Nest smart thermostats, will be offered to eligible customers at no cost. By automating HVAC adjustments, they help shift energy use to when electricity is cheaper, cleaner, and less strained.

NRG and Renew Home have big plans for the VPP. Starting in spring 2025, the companies plan to roll out the program across Texas, installing these smart thermostats in homes served by NRG’s retail electricity providers. Eventually, they plan to add home battery storage and EVs to expand the power plant’s capabilities.

Texas has faced record-breaking energy demands, with peak usage hitting 85 GW in 2023. As the state’s population grows and extreme weather becomes more frequent, VPPs like this one could play a key role in stabilizing the grid. VPPs aggregate a lot of small-scale energy resources, from smart thermostats to home batteries, and use them to help balance supply and demand during times of high stress on the grid.

This nearly 1 GW VPP will be one of the largest of its kind in Texas. NRG’s president of consumer operations, Rasesh Patel, calls it a “pivotal step” for improving customer experience while making Texas’ energy infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.

In addition to Renew Home, NRG is working with Google Cloud to maximize the power plant’s effectiveness. Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools will help predict weather conditions, forecast renewable generation, and optimize energy usage, all of which will help make energy management smoother for both customers and the grid.

Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home, said:

NRG’s commitment to creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future while also making electricity bills more affordable makes them an ideal partner for co-developing this unique VPP program.

This initiative raises the bar for future-proofing our electricity infrastructure and delivering cost savings to customers.

Read: Chinese solar giant Trina sells its Texas factory a week after it opens


To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending