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Hyundai’s cheapest EV is now available in Japan. Starting at just $18,000, the new Hyundai Inster EV is the most affordable electric car in its segment, even cheaper than BYD’s Dolphin.

Hyundai’s cheapest Inster EV is now available in Japan

Since re-entering the market in early 2022, Hyundai has only introduced several vehicles in Japan, including the IONIQ 5, Kona Electric, and Nexo FCEV.

The Inster EV is Hyundai’s fourth electric car, and it could be its biggest hit so far. On Friday, Hyundai opened orders for its newest EV in Japan. Starting at just 2,849,000 yen, or around $18,000, the Inster is Hyundai’s cheapest electric vehicle on the market.

Hyundai unveiled the Inster for the first time at the Busan Mobility Show in Korea last summer. It’s already rolling out in Europe and Korea.

In its home market, the Inster is known as the Casper Electric and has already become one of Korea’s top-selling EVs.

Powered by a 49 kWh battery, the Inster is rated with up to 195 miles (315 km) driving range in Korea. In Europe, the Casper Electric gets up to 221 miles (355 km) WLTP range. The low-cost EV is available in Japan with 42 or 49 kWh battery options.

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Hyundai Inster EV (Source: Hyundai)

Buyers in Japan can choose from three trims with prices ranging from 2,849,000 yen ($18,000) to 3,575,000 yen ($22,700).

At 3,830 mm long, 1,610 mm wide, and 1,615 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,580 mm, the Inster EV is slightly smaller than BYD’s Dolphin (4,290 mm long, 1,770 mm wide, 1,570 mm tall, wheelbase of 2,700 mm).

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Hyundai Inster EV interior (Source: Hyundai Japan)

Hyundai’s new EV undercuts the Dolphin, which starts at around $24,500 (3.63 million yen), as one of Japan’s most affordable electric cars.

The new low-cost electric car should help boost Hyundai’s sales in the region. Last year, Hyundai sold just over 600 vehicles in Japan, while BYD sold over 2,200. Since entering Japan in 2023, BYD has launched several top-selling EVs, including the Dolphin, Atto 3 SUV, and Seal.

Hyundai Inster EV trim Starting Price
Casual 2,849,000 yen ($18,000)
Voyage 3,355,000 yen ($21,300)
Lounge 3,575,000 yen ($24,500)
Hyundai Inster EV price by trim in Japan

Hyundai’s new EV will also compete with Japan’s top-selling electric car, the Nissan Sakura, which costs around $16,500 (2.6 million yen).

Will the Hyundai Inster break into Japan’s EV market? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.

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Is the Chevy Equinox EV the best bang for your buck?

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Is the Chevy Equinox EV the best bang for your buck?

Starting at under $35,000 with up to 319 miles of range, class-leading tech, and more, the Chevy Equinox EV is hard to beat. But, is “America’s most affordable 315+ miles range EV,” really the best value?

The Chevy Equinox EV wins best value electric vehicle

The fastest-growing EV brand in the US is not Tesla or Rivian, it’s Chevy, largely thanks to the electric Equinox. After launching the lower-priced LT model last year, starting at just $34,995, Chevy’s electric SUV has been flying off the lot.

GM expects the Chevy Equinox EV will be the third top-selling electric vehicle in the US in 2025, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.

Considering what it offers, the electric Equinox is hard to beat, but is it really the best value? According to Cars.com, it is. The online marketplace released its latest Top EV picks ahead of the Federal EV tax credit, set to expire on September 30, naming the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV the best value electric vehicle.

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The online car-shopping marketplace sifted through the 77 EV models now available, naming the best for 2026 across value, usability, performance, and technology.

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Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

Other top EV picks included the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 for best 2-Row SUV, the 2026 Kia EV9 for best 3-Row SUV, and the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 for top electric car.

The 2026 Lucid Air was named the top luxury EV, while the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV took the title for top electric pickup truck.

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Chevy Equinox EV interior (Source: GM)

“The federal EV tax credit helped make EVs more affordable, and while its expiration at the end of September may slow demand in the short term, it doesn’t mean the end of affordable EVs,” Aaron Bragman, Detroit Bureau Chief at Cars.com, explained.

Many automakers, including Chevy, Nissan, and Hyundai, are planning to launch lower-priced electric vehicles, while several state and local incentives will remain.

2025 Chevy Equinox EV trim Starting Price EPA-estimated Range Monthly lease Price
(September 2025)
LT FWD $34,995 319 miles $249
LT AWD $40,295 307 miles $319
RS FWD $45,790 319 miles $324
RS AWD $49,090 307 miles $367
2025 Chevy Equinox EV prices, range, and lease price September 2025 (Including $1,395 destination fee)

With leases starting at just $249 per month, the Chevy Equinox EV is hard to match right now. Chevy is offering pretty significant discounts across its entire EV lineup, including a $10,000 bonus on most models and 0% APR financing on any 2025 model year EV.

The Equinox EV is not only one of the most affordable to lease, but it’s also one of the cheapest to insure. According to a recent study from Insurify, the Chevy Blazer and Equinox are the most affordable EVs to insure.

If you’re looking to grab the savings while they are still available, we can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on the top electric vehicles in your area.

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$75M boosts EV Realty’s first big rig charging hub in California

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M boosts EV Realty’s first big rig charging hub in California

EV Realty just broke ground on its first big truck charging hub in San Bernardino, California. The site sits in a prime location: by the San Bernardino Intermodal Facility, 60 million square feet of warehouse space, and Interstates 10 and 215 – a major freight route from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The hub will pack 9.9 megawatts of grid capacity and 76 DC fast charging ports, including megawatt charging pull-through stalls designed for big rigs. It’s built to serve regional and short-haul fleet customers in the Inland Empire metropolitan area, a hotspot for logistics and home to nearly 17,000 medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

EV Realty’s California charging hub is backed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. It has a conditional award from California’s EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles Project, funded by the California Energy Commission. It’s scheduled to open later this year.

EV Realty also announced today that it’s secured another $75 million in growth equity from private equity firm NGP, with contributions from the company’s management team. The funding will help scale its Powered Properties portfolio, including construction of the San Bernardino hub.

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Founded in 2022, EV Realty is focused on delivering turnkey, scalable charging solutions for commercial truck fleets. Last month, it partnered with Prologis to give drivers charging access across both networks. Earlier this year, EV Realty acquired a portfolio of assets from charging provider Gage Zero.

Read more: Greenlane launches a second long-haul EV truck corridor pilot


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Solid-state EV batteries are on the way — Mercedes’ partner plans deliveries by 2025

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Solid-state EV batteries are on the way — Mercedes' partner plans deliveries by 2025

Solid-state EV batteries will be here before you know it, Mercedes-backed Farasis Energy claims. During a recent investor meeting, Farasis said it will begin delivering solid-state EV batteries by the end of 2025.

Farasis Energy will deliver solid-state EV batteries in 2025

The new battery tech, promising to unlock more driving range, faster charging, and longer life-spans, is finally moving from the lab to the real world.

Farasis Energy confirmed during the meeting, held on September 15, that its all-solid-state EV batteries are now entering pilot production and delivery. The company is building a 0.2 GWh pilot line for the new sulfide-based solid-state batteries, with deliveries set to begin by the end of 2025.

In a filing released the following day, viewed by IT Home, the company said it’s fully committed to bringing the new battery tech to market.

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Farasis uses a high-nickel ternary cathode and a high-silicon anode, claiming an energy density of 400 to 500 Wh/kg.

The report said R&D has progressed “smoothly,” and the company plans to begin deliveries by the end of 2025. Initially, they will be delivered in small batches to select customers.

Solid-state-EV-batteries-2025
(Source: Farasis Energy)

Meanwhile, Farasis’ second-gen sulfide-based all-solid-state EV batteries are moving past the tech development phase. The second-gen batteries have an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, which would be among the highest in the industry. It’s expected to roll out in 2026.

In 2027, the company plans to launch the third-generation, promising to unlock an energy density of over 500 Wh/kg.

Solid-state-EV-batteries-2025
Mercedes EQS modified with a solid-state battery (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

The report claims that the semi-solid-state batteries only cost 5% to 10% more than liquid batteries, and Farasis expects shipments to ramp up significantly next year.

Just this year, Farasis Energy said it has secured new clients, including XPeng, GAC Group, and “a leading domestic new energy commercial vehicle client” for its core products, SPS (Super Pouch Solution) batteries, and semi-solid state batteries.

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Farasis Energy all-solid-state EV battery (Source: Farasis Energy)

The company plans to expand overseas and into new segments, including humanoid robots. Farasis is already using all-solid-state batteries in humanoid robots and has sent samples to leading humanoid robot companies.

Mercedes-Benz bought a stake in Farasis Energy in 2020 to secure battery supply for its upcoming electric vehicles.

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A modified Mercedes EQS with solid-state batteries travels 750 miles (1,205 km) on a single charge (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

The news comes after Mercedes announced just last week that it drove an EQS, equipped with solid-state batteries, from Stuttgart, Germany, to Malmö, Sweden, covering 750 miles (1,205 km). Mercedes said the vehicle still had another 85 miles of range to go. US-based Factorial Energy supplied the battery cells.

Mercedes’ tech boss, Markus Schäfer, called solid-state batteries “a true gamechanger” for electric vehicles. Schäfer added the new battery tech “delivers not only in the lab but also on the road.”

Farasis Energy, Mercedes-Benz, and Factorial Energy are just a few of the companies racing to unlock the “holy grail” of EV batteries. Toyota, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Honda, to name a few, are aiming to launch solid-state batteries by the end of the decade. BYD and CATL are reportedly aiming for around 2027.

Earlier this week, SK On said it plans to commercialize all-solid-state batteries by 2029, a year ahead of schedule.

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