Kia is slowing EV9 output in the US despite a hot sales start: Here’s why
Kia is hitting the brakes on production of its first three-row electric SUV in the US. Despite the EV9’s successful debut, new concerns about the EV tax credit are reportedly causing Kia to scale back — at least for now.
After another record-breaking US sales month in October, Kia said the impressive growth is driven by “strong demand” for its electrified lineup.
Kia sold over 69,900 vehicles last month, up 16% from the previous record in October 2023. Electric vehicles (EVs) led the growth, with sales surging 70% year over year (YOY). Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV) sales were up 65% and 49%, respectively.
One of the biggest factors behind Kia’s growing sales numbers is the addition of its first three-row electric SUV, the EV9.
After delivering the first models last December, Kia has already sold nearly 18,000 EV9s in the US through October. That’s even more than its first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6, with around 17,700 models sold through the first ten months of 2024.
Despite the early success, Kia reportedly plans to slow output due to new concerns over the federal EV tax credit.
Kia slowing EV9 output in the US over EV tax credit rules
According to The Korea Herald, Hyundai Motor Group is slowing Kia EV9 output at its new $7.6 billion EV manufacturing plant in Georgia.
After kicking off production at its massive new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) just last month, EV9 output is already being put on the back burner.
Industry sources said Hyundai produced just 21 EV9s in the third quarter. Only one of those was sold in the US. Meanwhile, Kia is still selling an average of 1,800 EV9 models each month.
Most EV9 models, even those for the US, are still built at Kia’s manufacturing plant in Korea. In addition, SK On manufactures its battery cells in China.
Because of this, the three-row electric SUV only qualifies for a partial $3,750 tax credit. “The EV9 is ineligible to benefit from the full IRA benefits due to the battery issue, along with other factors, including price,” A Kia official explained.
Although EV9 prices start at around $55,000, premium trims, like the GT-Line model, cost upwards of $80,000, which exceeds the IRA threshold for SUVs and pickups ($80,000).
| 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 |
Hyundai is fast-tracking production at its battery cell plant in GA with SK On to gain compliance. The plant is expected to have a 35 GWh annual capacity, enough for over 500,000 EVs. The Korean automaker is building another battery plant with LG Energy in GA with an expected 30 GWh annual capacity.
With President-elect Trump’s transition team reportedly planning to kill the EV tax credit, things could get more complicated next year.
“Reducing the EV subsidy could effectively end benefits for foreign automakers with US facilities,” Kim Pil-su, a car engineering professor at Daelim University, explained. If this is the case, Kia will likely need to boost incentives.
Kia’s EV9 is already among the most discounted EVs in the US. According to Motor Intelligence, EV9 average discounts reached over $18,000 this summer.
The company is currently offering $7,500 in Customer Cash, a $1,500 offer for Tesla owners and lesseees, and an up to $1,000 Season of New Traditions Retail Cash Bonus.
With the new 2025 EV9 hitting dealerships, Kia is offering clearance prices on 2024 models. We can help you take advantage of the savings. You can use our link to view deals on 2024 and 2025 Kia EV9 models at a dealer near you.
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The State of California is moving to ban the sale of Tesla cars amid claims that the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, have misled buyers about the self-driving capabilities of their cars. We’ve also got market-leading news out of Vietnam and a pricey, pricey lesson for one VW ID.Buzz buyer on today’s lesson-learning episode of Quick Charge!
We also ask what this might mean for the recent Uber/Lucid autonomous taxi tie-up and go through a full rundown of the fastest depreciating EVs on the market (and yes, there are four Tesla models in the top 10 … because the Cybertruck was too new to qualify).
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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. It has 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 Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Sunrun is putting tens of thousands of home batteries to work in Puerto Rico as the island’s electric grid faces a summer of high temperatures and energy shortfalls.
The company says it’s now dispatching energy from over 37,000 residential batteries to help grid operator LUMA keep the lights on. That stored power is being used to prevent rolling blackouts when demand spikes and centralized power plants can’t keep up.
Sunrun’s emergency power contribution has grown more than tenfold since last summer. LUMA expects more than 75 energy shortfall events between now and October, with each dispatch sending electricity to the grid for four consecutive hours. During several recent evenings, Sunrun and other virtual power plant (VPP) operators provided enough energy to offset a 50-megawatt generation gap, LUMA said.
Sunrun CEO Mary Powell said Puerto Rico’s aging infrastructure and intense weather patterns make home battery support increasingly critical:
It’s going to be a very difficult summer, which is why Sunrun has ramped up our dispatch capabilities, using tens of thousands of home batteries to support the grid and people of Puerto Rico.
She added that distributed power plants like Sunrun’s serve the same role as natural gas peaker plants – offering fast, reliable power during high-demand moments – but with clean energy.
Sunrun customers enrolled in the VPP will get paid too. Each participating battery earns about $200 minimum for the season, and customers who allow more of their stored energy to go to the grid earn even more. Sunrun also earns revenue for operating the VPP.
Read more: The US’s largest virtual power plant now runs on 75,000 home batteries
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. 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. It has 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 Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Volkswagen is advertising ID.4 leases starting at just $99 a month. It’s hard to find any car lease these days for under $100 a month, but for $45,000 electric SUV, it’s almost unheard of.
Volkswagen offers ID.4 leases as low as $99 a month
The Volkswagen ID.4 was the third top-selling EV in the US in January after the 2025 model year went back on sale.
Volkswagen’s electric SUV starts at $45,095 with an EPA-estimated driving range of 291 miles. It’s available in five different trims: Pro, AWD Pro, Pro S, AWD Pro S, and AWD Pro S Plus.
The base 2025 VW ID.4 Pro RWD is equipped with 282 hp from a single rear electric motor. Inside, it features a 12.9″ infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and Volkswagen’s new ID.Cockpit digital instrument display.
Upgrading to the AWD version will gain a tow hitch and an additional 53 hp, for a combined maximum of 335 hp. The added power comes at the cost of some range, with an EPA-estimated range of 263 miles.
Volkswagen was already offering 2025 ID.4 leases as low as $129 a month, but some dealers are listing it for even less this month.
A California dealership, Volkswagen of Garden Grove, has the 2025 ID.4 Pro RWD listed for lease at just $99 per month. The offer is for 24 months with $2,995 down. According to the dealer, the offer includes a $5,000 cash back bonus, good on a new ID.4 purchase or lease.
We thought the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was a good deal with leases starting at just $179 per month, but for $99, now that’s a steal.
Looking for deals on the Volkswagen ID.4 near you? You can use our link to find and view offers on the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 in your area (via a trusted affiliate link)
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