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Toyota revealed plans to cut EV production by a third to its suppliers. The new plans include building roughly 500,000 fewer electric cars by 2026 than initially planned.

Toyota tells suppliers it plans to cut global EV production

According to Nikkei, Toyota notified suppliers of the changes on Friday, citing a slowing global EV market.

Japan’s largest automaker is lowering its global EV production goal to 1 million by 2026. The update comes after Toyota announced plans last May to sell 1.5 million EVs by 2026.

The new plans call for building 400,000 electric cars in 2025, doubling that number to 1 million by the following year.

Although Toyota is cutting EV production, it still expects a big jump in sales from the 104,018 electric cars sold in 2023. Through the first seven months of 2024, Toyota has sold about 80,000 EVs.

Toyota is notorious for its focus on hybrids. The Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid, going on sale back in 1997.

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2024 Toyota bZ4X (Source: Toyota)

The decision mirrors similar announcements from legacy rivals, including Ford, GM, Volkswagen, and, most recently, Volvo. Several automakers now plan to use hybrids as a bridge to their next-gen electric models.

Meanwhile, Japanese rival Honda has stood by its goal of building only all-electric or fuel-cell vehicles by 2040. In May, Honda doubled its EV investments to $65 billion (10 trillion yen) through 2030 to secure a spot as the industry shifts to electric.

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Toyota and Lexus EV concepts (Source: Toyota)

Honda’s first electric SUV in the US, the Prologue, just had its best sales month in the US after topping 5,000 units sold.

Electrek’s Take

Despite cutting production plans, Toyota still expects EV sales to climb significantly over the next few years.

Toyota is among several Japanese companies investing up to $7 billion (1 trillion yen) to boost domestic battery production. The move comes as Japan looks to secure a stable EV battery supply chain and move away from China or South Korea.

Toyota is expected to invest around $1.7 billion to ramp up battery output at two subsidiaries. It’s also planning a new EV battery plant in Japan to supply future Lexus electric models. The plant is slated to open by the end of 2028.

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Toyota EV battery roadmap (Source: Toyota)

Japan’s largest automaker outlined its EV battery roadmap last year, revealing several next-gen batteries due out over the next few years.

With lower production plans, will Toyota push back battery development (again)? Toyota has been promising to launch solid-state EV batteries for years. They were first expected to hit the market in 2021, then 2022, and now it’s looking more like 2030.

As I’ve argued before, legacy automakers delaying major EV initiatives are opening the door for pure EV players like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid to gain market share.

Even South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia are outpacing legacy rivals with affordable, long-range, fast-charging EVs covering most segments.

With many automakers adjusting their EV plans, it will be interesting to see how the market plays out over the next few years. I wouldn’t bet against those doubling down on EVs and the supporting tech.

Although most have cited a slowing market for the adjustments, EV adoption is still expected to climb rapidly over the next few years.

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The Kia EV4 is delayed, but another EV is still quietly coming to the US

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The Kia EV4 is delayed, but another EV is still quietly coming to the US

The EV4 will sadly not arrive in the US as expected, but Kia said it’s still planning on launching another EV that’s expected to be an even bigger hit.

Kia confirms EV4 delay, says another EV is still US-bound

The EV4, Kia’s first electric sedan, was expected to launch in the US within the next few months, but that will no longer be the case.

Kia has indefinitely delayed the launch of the EV4 in the US due to policy changes under the Trump administration.

The loss of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and added tariffs on Korean imports have forced Kia, like many others, to adjust their US lineup.

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According to Kia America’s marketing boss, Russel Wager, the EV4 is only a small part of the broader tariff-related impacts the Korean automaker is facing. Wager told Car and Driver on the sidelines of the LA Auto Show that the changes will likely impact other vehicles and prices.

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2026 Kia EV4 US-spec (Source: Kia)

When asked for specifics about why the EV4 is being pushed back, Wager said, “Can you give me the answer of when the tariffs are going to be resolved in Mexico, Canada, and Seoul? If you give me that answer, I’ll be as specific as possible.”

While the EV4 is delayed indefinitely, Wager suggested bringing the EV3 to the US, Kia’s compact SUV, is still part of the plan.

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Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

The Kia EV3 is already one of the most popular EVs in Europe and the UK’s best-selling retail electric car this year. Given the growing demand for smaller SUVs, the EV3 is expected to be an even bigger hit with US buyers than the EV4.

When it will launch in the US or how much it will cost remains up in the air until Kia gets a better idea of market conditions.

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The 2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)

Kia’s EV sales plunged after the federal tax credit expired at the end of September. Sales of the EV6 and EV9 fell by 71% and 66% last month compared to October 2024.

According to Wager, the automaker won’t really know what demand looks like until February or March 2026, since the loss of the $7,500 credit likely pulled buyers forward.

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Kia EV3 Air in Frost Blue (Source: Kia UK)

Kia is still ready to launch the EV4 in the US, but that’s only if the tariff situation stabilizes. Earlier this month, the US and South Korea agreed to reduce tariffs on imports from 25% to 15%.

“At that point in time we look at it and say, are we at 25 [percent], are we at 15—and then we can build our business case,” Wager said, adding, “It was originally designed and engineered when the tariffs were zero percent.”

The electric pickup that Kia announced just a few months ago may never make it to the US. Wager pointed to Ford halting F-150 Lightning production and reports that it could be scrapped altogether.

In the meantime, Kia is heavily discounting its current electric vehicles, offering a $10,000 customer cash bonus on every model. Or, you can opt for 0% financing for 72 months plus an extra $2,500 bonus cash. Kia’s sister company, Hyundai, is also offering generous discounts with IONIQ 5 leases starting at just $189 per month.

Interested in a test drive? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find Kia and
Hyundai models in your area.

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A caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs gear up for a nearly 3,000 mile trip across the US

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A caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs gear up for a nearly 3,000 mile trip across the US

A caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs will take the nearly 3,000-mile holiday trip across the US, lighting Christmas trees, surprising onlookers with light shows, and powering up festivities.

Chevy Silverado EVs gear up for a 3,000-mile trip

Chevy is celebrating the holidays with its fifth “Holiday Card to America,” but this year, the festivities will be brought to life.

Created in collaboration with Anomaly and Park Pictures, this season’s Holiday Card puts the spotlight on the ones that help bring the family together while keeping the traditions going: Moms.

The story follows an empty-nest couple through their holiday tradition, a trip to the family cottage in their 1987
Chevrolet Suburban.

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The couple reminisces on past trips, with two kids and the family dog in the backseat, which are now empty. The 60-second ad will air on Thursday during the NFL football games on FOX and on the Chevrolet YouTube channel.

Starting December 1, a caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs will travel 2,987 miles across the US from San Diego to Detroit, with stops in Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta.

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2026 Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss trim (Source: Chevrolet)

The Chevy Silverado EV will light up events in each city, from illuminating the holiday tree to surprise light shows, to festive events where families can roast s’mores over a campfire while holiday caroling from local choirs plays in the background.

Chevy said the nearly 3,000-mile holiday trip is a testament to the electric pickup’s long range, fast charging, and mobile power capabilities.

The Chevy Silverado EV provides an impressive driving range of up to 494 miles, can tow up to 12,500 lbs, and offers up to 10.2 kW of offboard power with up to 11 outlets.

The 2026 Chevy Silverado EV is available in three trims: Custom, LT, or a new Trail Boss edition, starting at $55,895.

With the 2026 models arriving, Chevy is offering 0% APR financing on all 2025 model year electric vehicles, including the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV.

Interested in a test drive? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find Chevy Silverado, Blazer, and Equinox EVs at a dealer near you.

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Parents, here’s what to know if your kid wants a Sur Ron or high power e-bike

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Parents, here's what to know if your kid wants a Sur Ron or high power e-bike

If you’re a parent of a teenager, there’s a decent chance you’ve heard the phrase “Can I get a Sur Ron?” sometime in the last year. Before you panic‑Google it or head to Amazon to see what one of these bikes costs, there are some important things you should know about this class of electric two-wheelers that have become all the rage with teenagers these days.

First, let’s clear something up: “Sur Ron” is technically one of many brands that makes these styles of bikes, but it’s become a catchall term – kind of like Kleenex. People often say “Sur Ron” when what they usually mean is any lightweight electric dirtbike with mountain‑bike styling and motorcycle performance.

The brand Sur Ron may have kick-started the category, but now there are plenty of similar machines: Talaria, Tuttio, Rawrr, ERidePro, Segway X260, and plenty of smaller new brands popping up constantly. For the purposes of this topic, just look at whatever model your kid is asking for. If it looks like the pictures you’re seeing here in this article – dirtbike frame, no pedals, or offers 40+ mph speeds – then regardless of brand, you’re dealing with a “Sur Ron‑style” electric motorcycle.

And that brings us to the key reality parents need to know: A Sur Ron is not an electric bicycle. It is a light electric motorcycle.

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Kids might not realize that when they’re begging for one after their friends got one. Many of these bikes are marketed with vaguely bicycle‑ish visuals, and influencers often ride them on public roads or on bike paths. But legally, practically, and mechanically, these machines are nowhere near the same thing as an electric bicycle – and that’s the core issue parents need to understand before clicking “Buy.”

Segway also got into the space with the X160 and X260, both designed for off-road riding

What is a Sur Ron, really?

Unlike a street-legal Class 1, 2, or 3 electric bicycle, a Sur Ron‑class bike:

  • Has no spinning bicycle pedals
  • Has a throttle-only drive system
  • Usually tops out at around 40–50 mph (64-80 km/h)
  • Is built like a lightweight motorcycle, not a bicycle
  • Usually cannot legally be ridden on public roads, bike lanes, parks, or neighborhoods

There are a few exceptions to the street-legal issue, with brands such as NIU admirably homologating their designs for street-legal use. But this only further drives home the point, since such homologated models still require a motorcycle license to ride legally on public roads.

The point is, if it doesn’t have pedals and it goes over 28 mph, it’s not an electric bicycle almost anywhere in the US. That’s not my opinion – that’s how federal and state definitions work. Once you remove pedals and exceed those limits, you’ve crossed into motor vehicle territory.

Note: Part of the confusion stems from the vague term “e-bike”, which is often used to lump together everything from e-scooters and small electric bicycles to full-sized electric motorcycles. “E-bike” is morphing into a catchall term, but the legal classification of “electric bicycle” is what matters, and that legal denotation differentiates larger, non street-legal motorbikes from a street-legal two-wheeler.

A classic-looking Sur Ron electric motorbike

Why do so many kids want one?

A huge part of the Sur Ron explosion has come from YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram videos showing teens doing wheelies, ripping around neighborhoods, and treating these machines like high-powered scooters. Kids see the cool factor, the speed, the off-road styling – and many assume they’re basically “super e-bikes.”

Well-known influencers regularly ride these types of bikes illegally on public roads and in bicycle lanes, often at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h).

The marketing doesn’t help, either. Some retailers list these rides under the “E-Bike” category, even though they’re nowhere near legal electric bicycle specifications. Many come with easily defeatable speed limiters (more on that in a moment) to try to sneak by with questionable speed and power limits.

So in many cases, kids aren’t intentionally asking for a motorcycle. They simply don’t know the difference.

However, police are aware of the distinction, and they are increasingly confiscating these bikes when they are ridden illegally on public streets or bike lanes, especially by teenagers who are unfamiliar with the rules of the road.

Cops are increasingly confiscating these types of motorbikes when they’re caught riding on public roads and bike lanes

The most important question for you: How do they plan to use it?

If your teen is asking for one of these motorbikes, consider asking them how they plan to use the vehicle before you decide what to buy.

If their answer is anything like…

  • “Ride around the neighborhood”
  • “Commute to school”
  • “Go on the bike path”
  • “Ride with my friends in town”

…then you can stop right there. A Sur Ron is not appropriate, safe, or legal for that type of riding.

What they need is a Class 1, 2, or 3 e‑bike – something with pedals, legal speed limits, and the ability to ride in bike lanes. There’s a healthy debate about which class is best for teens, but all three are at least street-legal and much safer than a Sur Ron or other light electric motorcycle for street and bike lane riding.

On the other hand, if your teen’s answer to why they want a Sur Ron is something like…

  • “Trail riding”
  • “Off-roading”
  • “Learning motorcycle skills”
  • “Riding on private land”

…then a Sur Ron‑class bike can be a great tool. With proper supervision, protective gear, and an appropriate place to ride, these bikes are fantastic learning platforms – and a ton of fun! They’re lightweight, don’t require clutch control, and have smooth throttles that make them more approachable than gasoline-powered dirt bikes. In fact, I’d say that they’re one of the best ways to learn motorcycle and dirt bike skills. Just be sure to get your kid geared up with the proper safety equipment, like a good helmet, gloves, and protective clothing. I really like a company called Beyond Riders (I have no affiliation) and I wear their armored jackets and pants on my full-size motorcycles – that’s how good they are.

Talaria is one of many manufacturers producing these types of electric motorbikes

Ask yourself honestly: Would you buy your kid a small motorcycle?

Just because it’s electric doesn’t make it any less powerful. If you wouldn’t buy your kid a motorcycle, then it doesn’t make sense to get them a Sur Ron. It’s just a motorcycle that you don’t fill up with gasoline.

Many of these models may claim to be limited to 20 mph (32 km/h), but they almost all have an easily bypassed speed limiter – often a single wire designed to be cut – that allows their top speed to be increased to around 40-50 mph. Electrek’s own publisher has talked before in our e-bike podcast about how his family’s Talaria seems to mysteriously have its speed limiter wire repeatedly cut after his teenager uses it.

These aren’t toys, and they’re not bicycles. They require the same level of responsibility, gear, and supervision as a gas dirt bike.

And depending on where you live, there can be serious legal consequences if your kid rides one on the street: tickets, fines, or worse, liability in the event of a crash.

Mounted police stop a teen Sur Ron rider on a California beach path

So what should parents buy instead?

It may appear to some that this article or my views are anti-Sur Ron, but in fact, it’s the opposite. These are great machines, and it’s awesome that they exist. But like many things in life, context is important. These aren’t commuter tools (unless they’re homologated for street-legal riding and the rider has a motorcycle lesson). These are trail bikes for off-road riding.

If your kid’s goal is everyday riding – school commutes, local cruising, bike-path adventures – then you want a proper electric bicycle. Not a Sur Ron.

Look for reputable Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes from brands that make real electric bicycles (things that look like pedal-able bicycles with batteries). Brands like Lectric eBikes, Ride1Up, Aventon, Trek, Rad Power Bikes (while they last), and others are all great, affordable options for families searching for a teenager’s first e-bike. That is by no means an exhaustive list, but they are some of the most popular among younger, budget-minded riders looking for something safe and legal.

These brands all offer models with real pedals, legal speed limits, safer handling, and that won’t get your kid in trouble for riding where motorcycles don’t belong.

We enjoy riding Sur Rons also, but there’s a time and a place

Final thoughts: Be real, be safe, and match the bike to the mission

It’s awesome that your kid is excited about electric mobility. That’s something worth supporting. But the right choice depends entirely on how – and where – they plan to ride.

A Sur Ron‑class bike is an amazing off-road machine, and a fantastic training motorcycle. But if the plan is to ride around town, go to school, or stick to bike paths, then it’s absolutely the wrong choice.

There’s no shame in saying “no” to the motorcycle and “yes” to a legal e-bike.

As with all things electric on two wheels, the key is to pick the right tool for the job. And despite the hype, a Sur Ron is not a bicycle. It’s a motorcycle. A fun, capable, impressive motorcycle – but one that needs to be used in the right place, with the right gear, and for the right reasons.

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