3 Fire-Breathing Monsters Based On The Hyundai Ioniq 5
The widely successful mass market EV from the Korean giant has spawned some truly hardcore performance avatars for varied applications.
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The widely successful mass market EV from the Korean giant has spawned some truly hardcore performance avatars for varied applications.
I won’t recommend anyone pushing their EVs to the limits like this.
It is for the first time ever that the prices of used EVs have dropped below used gas cars. A comprehensive study by iSeeCars reveals that used EVs are witnessing a significant drop in prices in comparison to used gas cars. This survey incorporated over 2.2 million used cars which are 1- to 5 years old sold between May 2023 and 2024. It concluded that the price of an average used electric car was 29.5% less vs 6.1% less for the average used gas car. This translates to $28,767 for EVs in contrast to $31,424 for gas cars. These numbers were $40,783 and $33,469 a year ago. You might also like: Affordable Sub-$25,000 Jeep Renegade EV To Launch In 2027 Used EVs Cheaper Than Gas Cars To prevent anomalies, heavy-duty vehicles, low-volume vehicles, vehicles discontinued as of the 2023 model year, and vehicles in production for fewer than four of the last five model years for each period were excluded from further analysis. The executive analyst at iSeeCars, Karl Brauer said, “There’s no denying the crash in used electric vehicle values over the past year. We’ve watched EV prices fall between 30 and 40 per cent since June of last year, while the average gas car’s price has dropped by just 3 to 7 per cent in that same timeframe.” Month Avg. Used EV Price Avg. Used Gas Car Price $ Diff. % Diff. May 2024 $28,767 $31,424 -$2,657 -8.5% April 2024 $29,066 $31,391 -$2,325 -7.4% March 2024 $29,925 $31,015 -$1,090 -3.5% February 2024 $30,904 $31,169 -$265 -0.9% January 2024 $33,275 $31,689 $1,586 5.0% December 2023 $33,572 $29,789 $3,783 12.7% November 2023 $34,275 $30,116 $4,159 13.8% October 2023 $34,994 $30,906 $4,088 13.2% September 2023 $34,926 $31,147 $3,779 12.1% August 2023 $36,161 $31,446 $4,715 15.0% July 2023 $38,797 $32,251 $6,546 20.3% June 2023 $40,916 $32,715 $8,201 25.1% 1- to 5-Year-Old Used EV Prices vs Used Gas Car Prices Brauer continues, “It’s clear used car shoppers will no longer pay a premium for electric vehicles and, in fact, consider electric powertrains a detractor, making them less desirable – and less valuable – than traditional models. Over the past year, the average used price for traditional internal combustion engine vehicles has shifted by no more than 7 per cent, with prices most months changing between 3 and 6 per cent. This is in stark contrast to the 30 to 40 per cent drops in used EV pricing.” What is intriguing in this study is that the 8 out of 10 used cars with the biggest price drops are EVs. Here is the list of the top 10 used cars with the biggest year-on-year price reductions. Rank Model Avg. Used Price YoY $ Price Diff. YoY % Price Diff. 1 Jaguar I-PACE $32,651 -$14,053 -30.10% 2 Chevrolet Bolt EV $18,081 -$7,041 -28.00% 3 Hyundai Kona Electric $21,602 -$7,780 -26.50% 4 Kia Niro EV $22,893 -$7,561 -24.80% 5 Nissan LEAF $17,593 -$5,546 -24.00% 6 Tesla Model 3 $28,439 -$8,932 -23.90% 7 Tesla Model X $59,296 -$13,690 -18.80% 8 Jaguar E-PACE $27,811 -$5,658 -16.90% 9 Tesla Model S $55,340 -$10,399 -15.80% 10 Maserati Levante $49,096 -$8,991 -15.50% – Average $31,368 -$2,184 -6.50% Top 10 cars with the biggest Y-o-Y price drops You might also like: Hyundai Casper-based Inster Sub-compact EV Teased w/ 355 km of Range Learn Electric Cars Says It is understandable that people would be wary of buying used EVs. The main reason is the potential expenses related to the battery. Also, since new EV sales are rising rapidly, the used EV market is getting excessive supply without a corresponding increase in demand. Hence, the prices are tanking. Finally, there is still not an overtly majority of car owners looking to switch to EVs. Therefore, this vast study incorporates all these aspects to infer that the average prices of used EVs are lower than used gas cars. Having said that, we know that carmakers offer a warranty of around 8 years on EV batteries in most cases. Hence, if you are getting a 2- or 3-year-old electric car at a massively discounted price, you could consider buying it. Even if you end up driving for around 4-5 years, you will not have to worry about the battery replacement costs. You can get some pretty decent deals even on slightly premium EVs at the moment. This would give you an opportunity to experience living with an electric car. Going forward, you will be in a better place to make the right decision for yourself.
A new poll interacts with 6,265 people to discuss their views on owning EVs, along with challenges associated with it. As per the latest survey, potential EV owners highlight range anxiety and high initial costs as top reasons for the reluctance to purchase an electric car. This poll was conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Interestingly, the results resemble the concerns of people from last year. It brings forth the challenges in front of President Biden’s plans to boost EV sales. This poll even suggests that people are still more likely to consider plug-in hybrids. You might also like: Average Gas Cars More Expensive Than Long-Range EVs – Study Range Anxiety and High Costs Stand Against EV Sales The survey shows that only 9% of participants currently own an electric. However, 13% own or lease a gas-hybrid vehicle. Moreover, about 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they would be at least somewhat likely to buy an EV the next time they buy a car. On the other hand, 46% say they are not too likely or not at all likely to purchase one. Note that the Environmental Protection Agency requires that about 56% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2032, as per the new rule. In addition, at least 13% must be plug-in hybrids or other partially electric cars. The possibility of young people buying an EV is higher than those over 45. Only 21% of U.S. adults say they are “very” or “extremely” likely to buy an EV as their next car. The major reasons for people not as into EVs as anticipated include range anxiety and high initial costs. We know that the average price for a new electric car in the U.S. was $52,314 in February, as per Kelley Blue Book. While this is 12.8% lower than last year, it is still higher than the average price of all new vehicles, $47,244. Due to this reason, 6 out of 10 adults cite cost as the prime reason why they would not opt for an EV as their next car. One of the participants of this survey, Caleb Jud from Cincinnati, is leaning towards buying a plug-in hybrid instead of an EV. He states, “The thought of getting stuck in the driveway with an EV that won’t run is worrisome, and I know it wouldn’t be an issue with a plug-in hybrid.” This is in reference to the performance of electric car batteries in cold weather conditions. Also, people not living close to a charging station cite it as a major hurdle preventing them from contemplating an EV. You might also like: Jeep Plans To Increase Its PHEV Sales By 50% In 2024 Learn Electric Cars Says Even though EV sales have been rising rapidly and the costs of Lithium-ion batteries are coming down steadily, regular folks still don’t buy into the idea of purchasing an electric car. We must understand that the initial wave of EVs was driven by the relatively affluent people in society everywhere across the globe. That is why sales have risen so rapidly in the last few years. However, we are at a point where a slowdown is expected. This is particularly true for the largest markets including the U.S., China and Europe. To bring new buyers on board, affordable mass-market EVs are the need of the hour. On top of that, rapid development of charging infrastructure is imperative. The government subsidies and incentives are already in place. All these factors need to combine to result in a boost in EV sales going forward. We see many carmakers working in this direction. Affordable EVs are the next big target for legacy, as well as new carmakers to spur demand.
The study claims that long-range EVs have become more affordable than average gas cars. A Bloomberg study finds that the average new gas cars in the U.S. is more expensive than new long-range EVs. Long range, here, implies an electric car with a range of over 300 miles (483 km). In a certain manner, 300 miles has become a benchmark as to what potential EV owners and carmakers are aiming for in a ‘regular’ electric vehicle. As range anxiety remains a prevalent issue, new EV buyers look at this figure as a somewhat acceptable range. That is the reason why we see multiple variants of an EV – Standard, Long Range and Performance. You might also like: VW Confirms An Affordable €20,000 Entry-Level EV For 2027 Average Gas Cars More Expensive Than EVs As per this report, the national average cost of a new gas car in the U.S. is around $47,000. Hence, there are a few key EVs which are priced below this mark from top carmakers in the world. These include electric cars from Tesla, Hyundai-Kia and General Motors. For instance, the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers a range of an attractive 361 miles (581 km) on a single charge. Its SE trim has a retail sticker of $42,450 before taxes and fees. Similarly, the Tesla Model Y starts at just $44,900 before taxes and fees. It boasts a range of 320 miles (515 km) on a single charge. Interestingly, if we take into consideration the federal tax credit of $7,500, these prices can drop further significantly. Finally, the new Chevy Equinox EV in its 2LT variant costs $42,000. With the tax credit, it would dip even below $35,000. However, things could really get exciting once the 1LT version launches later in the year. It will have a price tag of a mere $33,600 before taxes and fees. It will let the users drive for 319 miles (513 km) as per EPA. Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that the future is certainly pointing in the direction where EVs would be much closer to regular cars in terms of pricing. Now, I understand that some of you might consider this too microscopic an analysis and I agree. But we have to start from somewhere. I must also mention here that, in general, EVs are still around 15% more expensive than gas cars. This is confirmed by a report from Cox Automotive. Clearly, carmakers need to come up with many more affordable EVs for the masses. The good news is that they are already working towards this. For instance, the CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares said, “Affordability is the key success factor right now. If you want the scale to materialize, you need to be selling BEVs to the middle classes. It’s not ‘Watch out, there is a storm coming, and we are in the storm, and this storm is going to last a few years. It’s going to put a number of companies in trouble.” He remarked about the need to come up with affordable EVs for the mass market and the upcoming $25,000 electric Jeep will be crucial in that strategy. You might also like: Young Americans Open To Chinese EVs Despite 100% Tariffs – Study Learn Electric Cars Says As this initial wave of EVs slowed down a little, the early adopters were definitely the most affluent personalities, for the most part. However, in order to make EVs widely popular, the contribution of the masses is a must. That is what we see with major carmakers including the likes of Hyundai-Kia, Ford, GM, Volkswagen Group, Tesla, Stellantis, etc. We already know how successful budget Chinese EVs have been in China and Europe. The future of electric mobility, I feel, definitely belongs to affordable EVs and mass markets. As the EV wave spreads its roots across emerging nations, the need for compact and inexpensive electric cars is apparent. I must also add that the costs of components like lithium-ion batteries are going down as well. The technology is becoming more and more sophisticated. Hence, we must brace ourselves for the onslaught by affordable electric cars in the immediate future.
The long-term ownership experiences of EVs in general, are not all that easily available.
The study by AutoPacific also surveyed the reactions of Americans regarding data privacy and national security issues due to Chinese EVs. The Biden Administration recently announced 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs up from 25%, from August 1, 2024. Biden claims that this move will protect local jobs. Not just that, the batteries from China will also attract tariffs at 25% up from 7.5%. However, that will come into effect on January 1, 2026. A year prior to that, i.e., January 1, 2025, 50% tariffs will be imposed on semiconductors as well. Note that the tariffs are applicable to BEVs, as well as plug-in hybrid cars. It goes without saying that the U.S. government is adamant about restricting Chinese automobile products on its soil. The U.S. Trade Representative will open a 30-day period for public comment to close on June 28. Amidst all this, a survey by AutoPacific showcases some interesting trends. You might also like: Canada And Australia Join Hands To Tackle China In EV Battery Tech Americans Open to Chinese EVs Despite Tariffs The results come from a proprietary panel of vehicle owners in the U.S. as a part of AutoPacific’s bi-monthly Fuel Price Impact Survey. Nearly 800 respondents, aged 18 to 80, were asked a specific set of questions about Chinese-brand vehicles and privacy concerns. Interestingly, 76% of those under the age of 40 said they would consider buying a vehicle from a Chinese company. This number dropped to just 26% when considering respondents aged 60 and above. Talking about privacy issues, 44% of respondents said they would be ‘very concerned’ about their privacy if Chinese vehicles were sold in the U.S., while 34% would be ‘somewhat concerned’. Under the age of 40, 73% of respondents said they would be concerned about their privacy. Intriguingly, Ed Kim, President and Chief Analyst at AutoPacific said, “Privacy concerns about Chinese-brand vehicles are likely to eventually subside given that most of the connected smartphones, smart watches, laptops, connected home devices we are comfortable using every day are in fact manufactured in China.” Furthermore, 68% to 82% (depending on age group), share similar concerns about potential national security risks if Chinese car manufacturers were to sell their vehicles in the U.S. This is true irrespective of whether the vehicles are produced in China, the U.S. or any other country including Mexico. Mexico becomes particularly crucial because Chinese carmakers are considering building manufacturing facilities there which would allow them to bypass a lot of tariffs. This is where things get heated up. A whopping 73% of respondents under 40 said that they would ‘definitely or maybe consider’ a Chinese-brand vehicle made in Mexico. This number plummets to just 29% when considering the age group of 60 or older. Hence, younger Americans are certainly more open to the idea of considering Chinese vehicles. Chinese EVs are popular on social media due to affordability and tech on offer. You might also like: EV Batteries Made in Europe To Be 60% Less Carbon Intensive Than Chinese – Study Learn Electric Cars Says Now, I understand that the survey pool was not too wide for us to jump to any conclusions. Still, it gives a concrete indication of the kind of trends prevalent in the U.S. auto market. Youngsters, not just in America, but across the globe, are consuming content related to Chinese EVs on social media. The innovation, technology, cutting-edge software, hyper-fast charging speeds, myriads of cool features and affordability are the top reasons which are selling them this idea of Chinese EVs being better than others. In all honesty, one can’t ignore these factors. The U.S. is taking extreme measures to control Chinese dominance in the auto industry. However, industry veterans like Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares want to take on Chinese carmakers (or EVs) without relying on tariffs. He calls these measures “Darwinian”. Talking to Reuters, he said, “When you fight against the competition to absorb 30% of cost competitiveness edge in favor of the Chinese, there are social consequences. But the governments, the governments of Europe, they don’t want to face that reality right now.” In any case, I shall cover further developments in this case.
The Q1 of 2024 showed some pretty interesting sales statistics with one electric pickup truck dominating the field. The Ford F-150 Lightning managed to outsell the next three electric pickup trucks combined for the first quarter of 2024. The F-150 has unequivocally been the highest-selling pickup truck in the U.S. for over 4 decades. These are some staggering facts. It sure seems like its electric counterpart is replicating that popularity in the eco-friendly mobility realm. It was able to decimate the competition which included the likes of Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV. You might also like: Tesla and BYD Have 34% Share of Global Q1 2024 EV Sales Ford F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Dominates Sales Charts As per S&P Global Mobility data, Ford managed to register 8,589 units of the F-150 Lightning in Q1 of 2024. This marks a significant 51% growth in comparison to the same time last year. In total, Ford sold 20,223 EVs in Q1 of 2024 including 9,589 units of the Mustang Mach-E. Staying with electric pickup trucks, Tesla dispatched 1,791 units of its futuristic Cybertruck in this same time period. It is intriguing to witness how customers responded to the Cybertruck in the first few months of the launch. Social media has been full of reviews and incidents of people with the Cybertruck since its launch back in December. The other prominent player in this space is Rivian with its R1T pickup truck. In Q1 of 2024, the American startup sold 1,786 units of the R1T. Unfortunately, this marks a decline of 56% in sales in comparison to Q1 of 2023. Finally, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, despite its established success and popularity in the ICE guise, was only able to secure a rather disappointing 803 units in Q1 of 2024. Out of these, 319 came in March itself. Furthermore, the GMC Hummer EV sold only 192 units in March 2024. These statistics confirm the sheer dominance of the Ford F-150 Lightning despite the buzz created by the Cybertruck and others. Apparently, the familiar silhouette and legacy of the iconic truck still have its charm. Model Sales in Q1 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning 8,589 Tesla Cybertruck 1,791 Rivian R1T 1,786 Chevrolet Silverado EV 803 Sales of Electric Pickup Truck in Q1 of 2024 You might also like: Ford Will Have Hybrids In Every Segment – Ford CEO Jim Farley Learn Electric Cars Says This sales data reveals some pretty interesting trends in the EV industry in the U.S. While a lot of people, particularly outside the U.S., might think that Cybertruck has been insanely popular due to its social media presence, the sales charts show a different picture. The veteran F-150 moniker is reigning supreme even in this electric age. Going forward, there seem to be no reasons for a significant shift in this trend, at least in the near term. F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E continue to rake in the numbers on the EV sales charts. It would be interesting to see how other international markets shape up once EVs face mass adoption. In any case, we shall keep an eye out for more such details in this regard.
This staggering number becomes valid when renewable electricity is used. Even without that, the Europe-made EV batteries will emit 37% less carbon emissions than the Chinese. A detailed study by Transport & Environment (T&E) concludes that Europe-made EV batteries will be significantly more carbon scarce than China-controlled supply chain. That is a bold claim amidst concerns regarding over-dependency on China for the EV supply chain. We know that China controls a vast majority of production of battery components. This also includes manufacturing raw materials and minerals needed to create a Lithium-ion battery. You might also like: U.S. Could Ban or Restrict Chinese Connected Vehicles Europe-Made EV Batteries 60% Less Carbon-Intensive Than China The study mentions that even using the current European grid, the carbon emissions could be reduced by 37%. This is equivalent to 133 Mt CO2 by 2030 in comparison to China. This number shoots up to 62% if we consider using renewable energy sources. Furthermore, Europe can become self-sufficient in battery cells by 2026, and manufacture most of its demand for key components (cathodes) and materials such as lithium by 2030. Unfortunately, over half of gigafactory plans in Europe are at risk of either facing delays or cancellations. Thankfully, this number was over 66% last year. Hence, progress has been made in this direction. Still, a lot of government intervention is needed. The industrial policy blueprint should include maintaining the investment certainty (via the 2035 clean car goal). With regard to securing gigafactory capacity since last year, France, Germany and Hungary have made the most progress. In France, ACC started production in Pas-de-Calais last year while plants by Verkor in Dunkirk and Northvolt in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, are going ahead thanks to generous government subsidies. Finland, the UK, Norway and Spain have the most production capacity at medium or high risk due to question marks over projects by the Finnish Minerals Group, West Midlands Gigafactory, Freyr and InoBat. This report also mentions that securing other key EV battery components is an even bigger challenge due to China’s influence and the EU’s nascent expertise. Europe could potentially produce 56% of its total cathode demand which is a critical component of a battery by 2030. By the same time, the EU could also fulfil its demand for processed lithium and secure between 8% and 27% of battery minerals from recycling within the region. You might also like: Tesla and BYD Have 34% Share of Global Q1 2024 EV Sales Learn Electric Cars Says With the number of EVs growing across the globe, issues pertaining to sourcing battery components have become crucial. We have seen the U.S. tax credits depending on where an EV is manufactured in addition to where the battery and its components come from. Going forward, more nations strive to establish their own EV battery manufacturing industries. This will reduce dependence on a single country like China. Apart from that, utilizing renewable sources of energy for production is also a key factor toward going carbon neutral in the coming years. The ambitious goals of carbon neutrality need addressal from all directions. We shall be on the watch out for further developments in this case.
The used electric car industry is growing strongly as more EVs get old and people have the option of choosing new models. In a recent study, it was found that 2 in every 5 used electric cars belong to Tesla. Now, that shouldn’t be a huge surprise for anyone. Tesla is the largest EV maker in the world. It has been widely regarded as the poster boy for the electric mobility revolution across the globe for almost a decade. As the EV market matures, we are bound to have a surge of EVs in the user car market. The trend of people opting for used electric cars is in an upward momentum. Let us glance at the top 10 used electric cars in the U.S. at the moment. You might also like: StoreDot and Polestar Achieve 10-Minute Charging w/ Si-Dominant Cells Top 10 Used Electric Cars The top 2 spots are reserved by Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, respectively. These are followed by the Nissan Leaf, VW ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E at numbers 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The bottom half of the table is dominated by Audi e-tron, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Bolt EV, Tesla Model S and Hyundai Ioniq 5, respectively. Hence, in total, there are 3 Tesla cars in the list of top 10 used electric cars on sale in the U.S. at the moment. Fun fact, the Tesla Model X fell out of this list this time around. Moreover, user car giant CarMax reports that searches for EVs on its website grew by 177% between 2021 and 2024. Also, the top vehicles which were traded-in include Ford F-150, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius and Tesla Model 3. EV Average Price Tesla Model 3 $34,045 Tesla Model Y $43,896 Nissan Leaf $18,465 VW ID.4 $31,576 Ford Mustang Mach-E $38,713 Audi e-tron $41,205 Chevrolet Bolt EUV $26,776 Chevrolet Bolt EV $22,564 Tesla Model S $45,574 Hyundai Ioniq 5 $37,036 Top 10 User Electric Cars in the U.S. You might also like: Failure Rate of Modern EV Batteries is 0.1% – Study Learn Electric Cars Says With the expanding EV market across the globe, the used car industry is bound to experience a boost. However, things can get a bit complicated with EVs due to the astronomical expenses attached to battery replacement. I am particularly intrigued to see how will that shape the mindset of potential buyers. We know that battery replacement is the biggest cost associated with the ownership experience of electric cars. Generally, carmakers offer a warranty of around 150,000 – 200,000 km or 8 years (whichever is earlier). Therefore, if EVs are available well before that time period, people would be comfortable spending money. But I don’t see a scenario where anyone would want to risk it near the 8-year mark. Let’s see how things pan out in this regard going forward.