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Ford has opened the order banks for its 2025 E-Transit, which now costs the same upfront whether you order the electric or gas model – and the electric one is even cheaper when you take into account savings on fuel, maintenance, and possible incentives.

The E-Transit got a pretty big update this year (after significant delay), increasing battery capacity from 67 to 89kWh, and gaining faster AC and DC charging performance as well. This came along with just a $1,100 price bump, quite small compared to the increased battery capacity.

2025’s model isn’t getting nearly as big of changes, but does gain a few extra options. The most interesting of these is the addition of “trade packages” straight from the factory.

There is a significant ecosystem of commercial vehicle “upfitters” who will take in a factory-configured van and rebuild it with interior and/or exterior changes for whatever specific niche the van needs to fit into. Businesses will buy a plain van and take it to someone to build the specific cabinets they need for their job.

This is still possible with the 2025 E-Transit – which is indeed still available in chassis cab and cutaway configurations – but now Ford will sell you a van straight from the factory built for four specific common industries, with components from Ranger Design, a commercial van upfitter.

The new trade packages include:

  • Electrician trade package, which includes drawers and bins to store parts and reels to hang bundles of wiring – MSRP starting at $4,370
  • HVAC trade package, featuring large shelves and storage bins, but also specialized refrigerant storage racks and restraints – MSRP starting at $4,440
  • General Contractor package, mix of multipurpose shelves, bins, drawers, and hooks – MSRP starting at $2,900
  • Foldable Shelving Package, with deep, large-capacity folding shelves intended for delivery services – MSRP starting at $3,300

While established fleets might already have relationships with their upfitters and have solutions that work for them, this should simplify the process for smaller or new businesses that just want the easiest solution.

2025 Ford E-Transit is much cheaper than gas after incentives

In addition to these options, the 2025 E-Transit now starts at an even $51,000. At least it’s a more attractive number. The chassis cab version starts at $46,200, and cutaway starts at $45,700.

Importantly, Ford says that “comparable gas Transit models” start at the same price as the E-Transit in all three configurations, so not only do you get the fuel and maintenance savings of using electric drive instead of gas, but you don’t even have to pay a premium for it upfront.

But even better than that, the E-Transit should qualify for various green vehicle incentives. You’ll have to check what’s available in your area, but it qualifies for the $7,500 commercial clean vehicle tax credit (which doesn’t have the same sourcing requirements as the personal credit) and likely for other incentives, so once that’s taken into account, it’s even cheaper upfront than going gas, alongside the TCO benefits.

Better yet, Ford is offering a “$2,000 commercial charging cash incentive.” Since many businesses will have to install some method to charge their electric vans, this can be combined with various government or utility incentives to help with charging installation and bring the price down quite a bit.

However, we’ve heard no mention yet of native NACS connectors on trucks, which would help reduce the price of commercial charger installations significantly. But if you order the optional Mobile Power Cord, it will come with a NACS adapter.

The order banks for the 2025 Ford E-Transit are open today, so reach out to Ford Pro to go electric with your business.

Electrek’s Take

I’ve argued before that the EV cost parity conversation doesn’t make any sense, and I still hold that position. Especially for commercial customers who are often more spreadsheet-driven, where the benefits of longer-term fuel and maintenance savings are more clear than they are to the mercurial consumer.

But commercial EV prices can still be quite eye-watering. There are a ton of incentives available (though the really big ones are for heavier-duty vehicles than the E-Transit), but navigating one’s way through all of these can still be complicated for a business that just wants a truck.

And it’s still important to offer a choice with a little friction as possible. If buyers can call up Ford Pro and just as easily pick gas or electric, with no difference in base price, and with factory upfitting options, and get help installing a commercial charger (perhaps one of the ones that Ford Pro itself sells), that gets rid of a lot of the confusion and calculation with going electric.

So moves like this are a great way to ensure more businesses can convert to electric as easily as possible. No wonder the E-Transit is the best-selling electric van in America, Ford seems to be doing it right over there.


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Genesis wants a bigger slice of the US luxury market with new EVs en route

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Genesis wants a bigger slice of the US luxury market with new EVs en route

If you haven’t noticed, Genesis is quickly making a name for itself in the US. The luxury automaker now has 60 sales outlets as it expands into new US states. With new EVs launching, Genesis is eyeing a bigger share of the US luxury market.

Hyundai Motor Group’s Genesis brand is quietly emerging as a powerhouse in the US luxury market. Genesis marked its entry into the luxury segment in 2008 as a Hyundai-branded model.

In 2015, Hyundai announced Genesis would become an independent luxury brand. Since launching its first vehicle in the US, the luxury brand’s sales have surged from 7,000 in 2016 to over 69,000 last year. It even outsold Nissan’s Infiniti.

According to Genesis, this is just the start. The Korean luxury brand wants an even bigger slice of the market as it eyes rivals like Porsche.

A big reason behind the brand’s confidence is its new lineup of stylishly electric models. Genesis sells three EVs in the US: The GV60, Electrified G80, and Electrified GV70.

After introducing the Electrified GV70 just last year, the electric SUV is already Genesis’ top-selling EV in the US. According to Kelley Blue Book, Genesis sold 2,343 electric GV70 models in the US through September.

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2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 update (Source: Genesis)

Genesis eyes a bigger share of the US luxury market

Altogether, the luxury brand’s EV sales reached over 4,600 through the first nine months of 2024, topping Porsche (4,291) and Volvo (3,644).

Genesis made a statement at the LA Auto Show, unveiling the updated 2026 Electrified GV70. The luxury electric SUV now includes more range and an NACS port so drivers can charge at Tesla Superchargers. It will go on sale in the first half of 2025.

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Genesis at the 2024 LA Auto Show (Source: Hyundai Motor Group)

Meanwhile, Genesis showcased its new GV60 Magma Concept at the event, its first dedicated high-performance EV. The brand sees its Magma performance brand rivaling that of Geman luxury brands like Mercedes AMG, BMW M, and Audi RS.

The Genesis GV60 Magma EV will launch next year, spearheading the brand’s “expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.”

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Genesis GV60 Magma EV concept global debut at Goodwood (Source: Genesis)

Genesis enhanced the battery and motor while fine-tuning the chassis, thermodynamics, and profile for more power and efficiency.

It also features an aggressive new design, sitting much lower and wider than the current GV60 model. Genesis added a Magma-exclusive sound system to give it a sports car-like feel in the cockpit.

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Genesis G80 EV Magma Concept (Source: Genesis)

In April, we got our first look at the G80 EV Magma concept, which could be a potential challenger to Tesla’s Model S Plaid and the Porsche Taycan GT Turbo.

The luxury brand is expected to launch its flagship electric three-row SUV next year, the GV90. Genesis previewed the ultra-luxury EV in March after unveiling the Neolun concept.

Genesis now has 60 sales bases in the US, with new stores in Washington, Minnesota, New York, and Florida. It’s also building 30 in Canada as it expands its presence in the North American luxury market.

The luxury brand is opening a new dedicated design center in California. The “Genesis Design California” will open in the first half of 2025 as it builds out its US network.

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No, BYD is not taking over NIO as fake rumors claim

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No, BYD is not taking over NIO as fake rumors claim

A rumor spreading like wildfire on social media claims BYD will be taking over NIO (NYSE: NIO) as the EV giant gobbles up market share in China. The rumor was posted by a suspected BYD employee, but NIO is denying the claim.

BYD acquiring NIO would be a massive move as China’s leading EV maker continues to dominate the market. But that’s not going to happen.

According to CnEVPost, NIO’s assistant vice president for branding and communications, Ma Lin, denied the rumors that BYD is taking over the company on Friday.

Ma posted a screenshot on social media asking BYD’s general manager of branding and PR, Li Yunfei if the person who posted the fake rumor was an employee.

Earlier today, the suspected employee claimed BYD and NIO were setting up a joint venture. In a Weibo post, the suspect said BYD would have majority control of the partnership with a 51% share while NIO would get the remaining 49% ownership.

Ma told Li that if it was, in fact, a BYD employee, he needed to issue an official clarification and apologize. If not, they can get the police involved together. Li also denied the rumors, saying the claim was seriously untrue.

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NIO Onvo L60 electric SUV at the 2024 Guangzhou International Auto Show (Source: NIO Onvo)

NIO denies rumors that BYD is taking over the company

This is not the first time rumors surfaced that BYD will be taking over NIO, but because it is a suspected employee, the post has garnered more attention.

BYD is on a major hiring spree as it ramps up production to meet the higher demand. The EV giant now has over 900,000 employees, making it by far the largest A-share listed company in China.

BYD-taking-over-NIO
BYD Dolphin (left) and Atto 3 (right) Source: BYD

After selling over 500,000 vehicles for the first time in a single month in October, BYD’s surge is heating up as the EV giant expands overseas for growth.

October was BYD’s fifth consecutive record sales month as it closes in on auto leaders like Ford in global deliveries.

BYD-taking-over-NIO
Onvo L60 electric SUV models (Source: NIO Onvo)

NIO is also gaining momentum, with sales topping the 20,000 mark for the sixth straight month in October. With output of its new lower-priced Onvo L60 electric SUV ramping up, NIO expects to continue seeing higher demand.

Ma said on Friday that NIO’s “recent situation is quite good.” The company’s head of PR added, “Cash flow turned positive in the third quarter, gross profit improved in October, earning an extra RMB 100 million, and Onvo (deliveries) will exceed 10,000 in December.”

NIO is launching its third brand, Firefly, with deliveries kicking off in the first half of 2025. The company expects sales to double next year as it works to become profitable by 2026.

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Hyundai recalls more than 145,000 EVs

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Hyundai recalls more than 145,000 EVs

Hyundai Motors is recalling 145,235 EVs and other “electrified” vehicles in the US, citing concerns about a loss of driving power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.

The NHTSA announced this morning that the recall affects selected IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 EVs, as well as certain luxury Genesis models, including the GV60, GV70, and G80 electrified variants, from the 2022-2025 model years, Reuters reported.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

It looks like the issue stems from “the integrated charging control units in these vehicles, which may become damaged and fail to charge the 12-volt battery. This malfunction could lead to a complete loss of drive power, posing safety risks for drivers,” the NHTSA stated.

If you’re an owner of one of these Hyundai models dating 2022-2025, stay tuned. Hyundai has not yet provided a timeline as to when affected vehicles will be repaired.

To make that happen, the company’s dealers will inspect and replace the charging unit and its fuse if necessary, NHTSA said. Free of charge, of course.

Importantly, no crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires due to this issue have been reported in the US, Hyundai reported.


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