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As rivals like Ford and Toyota are pulling back major electric vehicle initiatives, Kia is plowing ahead as it looks to secure a leadership role. Kia is standing by its EV sales goal of 1.6 million models by 2030. With new low-cost EVs like the EV3 rolling out, Kia is already seeing strong demand.

Kia says 1.6 million EV sales goal for 2030 is still intact

Coming off back-to-back record global sales the past two years, Kia expects the momentum to continue.

However, “some difficulties” are expected in the short term. The Korean automaker sees shifting government policies and new tariffs on EV imports in the US and EU as potential headwinds this year and into 2025.

Despite this, Kia is sticking to its long-term sales goal of selling 1.6 million EV models in 2030. Kevin Ahn, CEO of Kia Asia Pacific, said at an event on Wednesday (via Reuters), “We’re not pushing volume to market. Especially this year, the market is changing very rapidly and there are so many uncertainties.”

“But our long term target is for 2030, 1.6 million EVs,” Ahn added. Kia expects “some chasms” on the way, but the goal is within reach.

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Kia EV6 (Source: Kia)

Like most automakers, Kia is bracing for the impacts of the US election. “Recently, the U.S. has finished their election, and there are big changes and expectations,” Ahn said it was too early to discuss the matter but added the company still plans to assemble EVs in the US at its West Point, GA, plant.

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Kia EV9 production begins in Georgia (Source: Kia)

New electric models en route

In May, Kia’s first three-row electric EV9 SUV rolled off the assembly line, a major milestone as the first EV built in Georgia.

The EV9 has helped push Kia to what looks like another record sales year in the US. With another 1,941 models sold in the US last month, Kia EV9 sales reached nearly 18,000 through the first ten months of the year.

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2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)

Kia calls the EV9’s sub-$55,000 starting price tag a “wake-up call” for the industry. Meanwhile, even more affordable Kia EV models are on the way.

2025 Kia EV9 Trim Starting Price*
Light Standard Range $54,900
Light Long Range $59,900
Wind $63,900
Land $69,900
GT-Line $73,900
2025 Kia EV9 price by trim (*excluding $1,325 destination fee)

As part of its “EV for all strategy,” Kia is launching a series of low-cost models. The EV3, Kia’s compact electric SUV, is already generating strong demand in Korea. The company has called it a potential “game changer” in its home market.

The EV3 starts at just $30,700 (KRW 42.08 million) in Korea with up to 375 miles (605 km) driving range. With incentives, the electric SUV can be bought for under $30,000 (KRW 39.95 million).

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Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

Kia just launched the EV3 in Europe with “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP). Prices in Europe start at around 36,000 euros ($38,300). The electric SUV has been on sale in the UK since August, starting at £32,995 ($42,500).

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Kia EV4 (back) showcased alongside EV9 (left) EV3 (middle), and EV5 (right) (Source: Kia)

Next year, Kia is launching the EV4, its take on an entry-level electric sedan. Despite its four-door design, Kia claims the EV4 is “an entirely new type of EV sedan.”

Its low-riding, wide stance gives off a sports car-like feel. It’s expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000. Ahead of its debut, the EV4 was spotted in hatchback form on US streets for the first time last week.

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Ørsted’s largest solar farm in the world is now online in Texas

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Ørsted's largest solar farm in the world is now online in Texas

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.

Read more: Ørsted got a huge Tesla battery storage system for the world’s single-largest offshore wind farm


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*

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Cramer names oil and natural gas stocks set to do well under Trump

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Cramer names oil and natural gas stocks set to do well under Trump

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 playfor 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.”

Jim Cramer’s Guide to Investing

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Jeep launches Wagoneer S EV lease prices starting at just $599 per month

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Jeep launches Wagoneer S EV lease prices starting at just 9 per month

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.

2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV lease prices

After unveiling its first global electric SUV, Jeep’s CEO said the Wagoneer S “marks a new chapter” in its storied history.

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.

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Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition (Source: Jeep)

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.

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Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition Radar Red interior (Source: Jeep)

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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