Kia EV3 sales top 75,000 in 2025 as the electric SUV takes the market by storm
It may be small, but Kia’s electric SUV is proving to be mighty. Global sales of the Kia EV3 have already topped 75,000 this year.
Kia EV3 sales are taking off
After launching the EV3 in its home market last year, Kia’s vice president, Won-Jeong Jeong, was already calling it a game-changer a month after orders opened.
Over a year later, the EV3 is now rolling out in Europe, the UK, Australia, and other global markets. The EV3 has quickly become a favorite in both domestic and overseas markets.
Kia’s electric SUV was the best-selling EV in the UK and Korea in the first half of the year. After another impressive performance last month, Kia EV3 sales reached over 75,000 globally through the first nine months of 2025.
Although exact numbers have yet to be announced, Kia sold 1,927 EV3s in Korea last month. At the end of August, Kia EV3 sales totaled 73,725 globally, which would already exceed 75,000.
In South Korea alone, Kia sold nearly 19,000 EV3s through September, an increase of 137% from the same period in 2024.
Sales of the EV4, which launched in late March, now total over 7,000 in Korea. Kia’s latest electric models, including the midsize EV5 SUV and the PV5 van, are seeing strong initial demand, with 272 and 833 units sold, respectively.
Kia said it will continue building sales momentum by leading the electric vehicle market with new models, including the EV4, EV5, and PV5.
In the US, Kia is on track for its third straight record-breaking year. The EV9, Kia’s first three-row electric SUV, just posted its best month and quarter yet after a big update for the 2025MY, with 3,094 and 7,501 units sold.
With the EV4 set to arrive in early 2026, Kia looks to keep the sales run going. The EV3 is also set to launch in the US in 2026, but Kia has yet to release specifics.
The EV3 starts at 42.08 million won ($30,700) in Korea, 36,000 euros ($42,000) in Europe, and £33,005 ($42,500) in the UK. It’s available with two battery packs, 58.3 kWh or 81.48 kWh, providing a WLTP range of up to 430 km (270 miles) and 599 km (375 miles), respectively.
In the US, the EV3 is expected to start at around $30,000 to $35,000. The 2026 EV4 will likely be priced slightly higher, starting at around $35,000 to $40,000.
Source: Newsis, Kia
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Shares of USA Rare Earth jumped in extended trading Thursday, after CEO Barbara Humpton told CNBC that the rare earth miner is “in close communication” with the White House.
Humpton’s comment comes after the Trump administration took a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas this week. The Defense Department took a 15% stake in rare earth miner MP Materials in July.
“We are in close communication with the administration,” Humpton told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan when asked whether USA Rare Earth was interested in a deal with the Trump administration.
USA Rare Earth stock year to date.
USA Rare Earth shares were last up about 8% after hours. Its stock gained 23% in regular trading Thursday and has nearly doubled this year.
“This is a field where it will not be a zero sum game,” Humpton said of the rare earth supply chain. “It’s going to take a lot of players to build out this marketplace.”
USA Rare Earth is developing a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, and a magnet production facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Humpton said she supports the Trump administration’s deals with MP and Lithium Americas.
“What we’re doing is keeping the administration informed of our own plans,” she said.
The adminstration has said it is making the investments to help support the industry and break U.S. dependence on China.
Environment
Tesla applies for patent to make Cybertruck look even more ridiculous but more efficient
Tesla has applied for a new patent that would make the Cybertruck look even more ridiculous than it already does, but it would also make towing more efficient.
The Cybertruck is one of, if not the most, polarizing vehicles of all time, and its design is primarily to blame.
Much of the design is due to the use of stainless steel panels and the attempt to make pickup trucks more aerodynamically efficient.
Tesla has managed to improve on the drag coefficient of the average pickup truck.
However, it doesn’t help much with towing a trailer, which is going to catch a lot of that drag.
Tesla has now applied for a new patent on a device that would help push wind over a trailer towed by the Cybertruck.
The American automaker wrote in the abstract of the patent application:
An inflatable aerodynamic deflector to reduce drag and enhance efficiency. Constructed from drop stitch material, it forms one or more air chambers between parallel skins. The component includes a pressure regulation mechanism and diverse attachment interfaces such as rail systems, magnetic fasteners, and quick disconnect clips, distributed along the vehicle for secure mounting. This component acts as an aerodynamic deflector, optimizing airflow around conveyances, especially combination vehicles like tow vehicles and trailers.
In short, Tesla is working on an inflatable device that could sit on the bed of the Cybertruck and rise to close the air gap between the truck, thereby extending the angle of the windshield over the trailer.
Here are some of the drawings from the patent application
Electrek’s Take
To be fair, companies often apply for patents on products that they don’t have concrete plans to bring to production, and this could easily be the case here.
That’s especially true for the Cybertruck.
The program is so much smaller than Tesla anticipated, and with smaller volumes, it makes less sense to launch accessories.
That said, I’m pro everything that makes driving more efficient, regardless of whether it makes a vehicle silly.
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The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup will be offered in a single trim, but at least it’s the most affordable one.
Here’s the new 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup
With the IONIQ 5 stealing the spotlight, Hyundai is downsizing the 2026 Kona Electric to just one trim — the base SE model.
Hyundai didn’t provide prices, but the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE was the brand’s most affordable EV, starting at just $32,975. The SEL, Limited, and N Line trims will not be offered for the 2026 model year.
In another blow, Hyundai is also dropping the Long Range battery, meaning the 2026 Kona Electric will only be available with the Standard Range battery.
The Long Range 64.8 kWh battery offers a driving range of up to 261 miles, while the Standard Range 48.6 kWh battery delivers a driving range of just 200 miles. The only other change is that the SE trim will now include a larger console tray.
With new models arriving, like the 2026 Nissan LEAF and the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, the Kona Electric will no longer be one of the few EVs starting under $35,000.
Nissan claims the 2026 LEAF “has the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US” at just $29,990. The new LEAF also offers significantly more range, with over 300 miles, and features a NACS port for recharging at Tesla Superchargers.
While it’s cutting the Kona Electric lineup, Hyundai appears to be focused on its top-selling EV for 2026, the IONIQ 5.
Following the expiration of the federal EV tax credit, Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 IONIQ 5 by up to nearly $10,000 on certain trims. The 2026 IONIQ 5 now starts at just $35,000. It’s also extending the $7,500 credit for 2025 models.
Is the Kona Electric on its way out with the IONIQ 5 now available for about the same price? Either that, or Hyundai will have to cut prices on the Kona EV to stay competitive.
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