2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 smooths the electric SUV form

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November 21, 2024

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2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 smooths the electric SUV form

Ioniq 9 will seat up to seven, has fully reclining first and second
Aims for 335 miles of range, 24-minute 10-80% fast-charging
Capable of downloadable Features on Demand, energy sharing

Hyundai’s upcoming three-row EV, the 2026 Ioniq 9, may get closer than any contemporary vehicle to straddling the boundaries between SUV, wagon, and minivan.

Although measuring out to roughly the same size as the Kia EV9, the Ioniq 9 is a completely different form factor—one appearing to be less focused on truck looks and backcountry possibilities, and instead more focused on interior comfort and highway efficiency and range.

It could shape up as a unique rival to other aero-savvy or non-conventional three-row EV designs, including the Lucid Gravity, Tesla Model X, and Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

Ioniq 9 styling: Not a boxy SUV

The Ioniq 9 pretty closely follows the shape of the Seven concept from 2021. It pairs a series of linear design aspects—the bitmapped line of lighting across the front, the nearly level beltline crease, and the straight-back lower-body trim—with a roofline and sides that softly taper, extending almost in a boattail shape.

That results in a coefficient of drag of just 0.269—remarkably good for an SUV, and an asset in providing a projected EPA range of up to 335 miles from just 110.3 kwh.

The Ioniq 9 is 199.2 inches long—about two inches longer than the EV9. That makes it the largest vehicle yet to be built on its E-GMP dedicated EV platform, which also underpins the Ioniq 5 crossover, Ioniq 6 sedan, Kia EV6 wagon, Kia EV9 SUV, and Genesis GV60 hatchback.

It rides on a 123.2-inch wheelbase, which is 0.2 inch longer than the EV9’s and the longest of any model from Hyundai. A flat floor, enabled by bypassing worries about locating the fuel tank, exhaust pipes, and more, helps package roomier seating and more cargo space than comparably sized combustion vehicles.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

Ioniq 9 interior: Spacious and futuristic

The cabin has a futuristic look, with a “floating dashboard,” slim vents, and ambient lighting. Six two-tone combinations are offered to complement (or contrast with) 16 different exterior colors, and eco-savvy materials are used throughout.

The front seats have armrests, and a center console allows a walk-through area in front and is in reach of the second row. It can slide back by up to 7.5 inches and has two layers of tray storage, with the lower one sliding. Frunk space—with an electric opener—stands at 1.8 or 3.1 cubic feet (depending if you have a motor up there), while the rear cargo area has 21.9 cubic feet with the second and third rows in place.

Hyundai notes that the first and second rows can fully recline and have leg rests, “allowing up to four people to rest during vehicle charging,” it says. The Ioniq 9 also has a massage function for the driver seat.

Camera side mirrors and second-row swiveling seats are feature points included with the auto-show debut, but Hyundai has said they won’t arrive in the U.S. version.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

Three Ioniq 9 models, up to 335 miles

The Ioniq 9 will be offered in three configurations: Long-Range RWD, Long-Range AWD, and Performance AWD. All three versions have a 215-hp (160-kw) motor at the rear wheels, but the Long-Range AWD has a 93-hp (70-kw) motor in front while the Performance AWD gets 215-hp motors front and rear. The Long-Range RWD will return that estimated 335 miles, but Hyundai says it aims for more than 300 miles of range for all versions.

Hyundai quotes a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds for the Performance model, while the two other versions are pegged at 6.2 and 8.4 seconds. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds and includes a towing mode that focuses on a 50:50 torque distribution, varying it as needed. Additional drive modes will include Normal, Eco, Sport, and a customizable MyDrive mode. Sand, Mud, and Snow off-road modes cater to specific terrain types.

The Ioniq 9 rides on a four-wheel independent suspension, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear, plus self-leveling dampers and vibration-isolating hydro-bushings. It uses torque vectoring for ride and stability.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

Ioniq 9 gets serious about aero and noise reduction

Aerodynamics are aided by an active air flap system and flush body panels. It also has a new type of door-closure mechanism that Hyundai says will assure a better fit-and-finish. According to Hyundai, this is also the first model from the automaker to get aluminum fenders and quarter panels, which helps cut weight. Hyundai has said the Ioniq 9 will weigh between 5,500 and 6,000 pounds.

It also includes an active noise control system that focuses on combating road noise, which can be especially noticeable in EVs. The Bose 14-speaker sound system that’s available includes a so-called e-Active Sound Design feature that creates different EV driving sounds.

Hyundai also notes that 100-watt USB-C ports are provided in all three rows. Also noteworthy is an available multi-tray UV-C sterilizer that can disinfect phones or masks, though it’s unclear if that feature is coming to our shores.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

Ioniq 9 charging times, energy sharing

With a 350-kw charge connector, the Ioniq 9 can get from a 10-80% charge in just 24 minutes, according to Hyundai. It has vehicle-to-load (V2L) convenience for outputting power through AC sockets—in the cargo area. It will use the NACS (Tesla-style) charge port.

Charge status is now represented by four green dots on the steering wheel, and Hyundai is introducing a “refined EV Route Planner” with the Ioniq 9, plus “improved battery consistency” and new energy displays.

A 12.0-inch gauge cluster and 12.0-inch infotainment system are set across a curved display. Hyundai has added an expanded AI voice assistant, while it hopes to roll out optional features for download—called Features on Demand—that might include dynamic lighting or music apps.

The Ioniq 9 has 10 airbags, and improved third-row passenger protection, along with automatic emergency braking, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and many other active-safety systems.

Hyundai says that the Ioniq 9 will be launched in Korea and the U.S. in early 2025, with Europe and other markets to follow. Expect starting prices around $60,000, ranging near or past $80,000 for the top Performance version. The Ioniq 9 will be made in Georgia and is expected to qualify for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

Source link by Green Car Reports
Author news@greencarreports.com (Bengt Halvorson)

#Hyundai #Ioniq #smooths #electric #SUV #form

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Honda unveils all-solid-state EV battery production line for the first time

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November 21, 2024

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Honda unveils all-solid-state EV battery production line for the first time

Honda has been promising to unlock the power of all-solid-state EV batteries for several years. Today, we are getting our first look at the progress. Honda unveiled a demonstration production line as it continues to advance promising new battery technology.

By 2050, Honda wants all its products and corporate activities to be carbon neutral. Although electric vehicles are essential to this mission, Honda believes improvements are needed.

Since the battery is such a critical component for EVs, the company aims to unlock more driving range at a lower cost with new chemistries.

Honda is developing all-solid-state EV batteries in-house to power up its next-gen vehicles. It’s not “merely trying to establish a lab-level technology,” Honda is eyeing mass production in the coming years.

On Wednesday, Honda unveiled its demonstration production line for all-solid-state EV batteries, giving us our first look at the progress.

The line is located at Honda’s R&D facility in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Honda will use the demo line as a preface for mass production while determining the basic specifications of the battery cells.

Honda is launching EVs with all-solid-state batteries

Honda plans to launch electric models with the new all-solid-state battery tech in the “second half of the 2020s.”

The new demo line replicates the processes required for mass production. It covers around 295,000 ft² (27,400 m²) and is already equipped with the tools to verify each production process, including weighing and mixing electrode materials, coating, and roll pressing electrode assemblies. The line also supports the formation of cells and the assembly of the module.

After the new facility was completed this spring, all the equipment needed for verification is now in place.

Honda plans to begin production on the new demo line in January 2025. With a highly efficient production process and a wide range of use cases, including automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft, Honda aims to slash battery costs.

To speed up development, Honda is conducting “speedy research” in two main areas: material specifications and manufacturing methods.

The company plans to start mass producing all-solid-state EV batteries in the second half of the 2020s.

Ahead of its 2050 carbon neutrality target, Honda aims for 100% of global vehicle sales to be EV or FCEV by 2040. Honda believes the new battery tech will be its differentiator.

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Source link by Electrek
Author Peter Johnson

#Honda #unveils #allsolidstate #battery #production #line #time

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Rio Tinto and China’s SPIC partner to test electric mining trucks with battery swapping

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November 20, 2024

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Rio Tinto and China’s SPIC partner to test electric mining trucks with battery swapping

Mining giant Rio Tinto will partner with China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) to demonstrate battery-swap-capable electric haul trucks at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia.

The technology is already in use on haul trucks in mining operations in China, and this collaboration will enable Rio Tinto to demonstrate a complete battery-electric truck and charging ecosystem.

The two-year project will demonstrate 8 mining haul trucks (91-tonne payload), 13 batteries (800 kWh), and a robotic battery swap and charging station. Technical experts from Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi have worked closely with SPIC and truck manufacturer Tonly to align the equipment design with Rio Tinto’s requirements. The trucks will perform non-production activities in the aboveground operations—specifically, tailings dam rehabilitation work and topsoil movement.

Rio Tinto operates about 700 haul trucks across its global operations, of which 100 are classified as small or medium class (100-200-tonne payload).

Each battery is expected to last up to 8 hours, depending on the work performed, and the battery swap process takes around 7 minutes.

The first truck is scheduled to arrive at Oyu Tolgoi this year and the remaining 7 trucks, along with the battery swap and charging infrastructure, will be in operation by mid-2025.

Rio Tinto Chief Decarbonisation Officer Jonathon McCarthy said: “This demonstration will allow us to explore applications for battery-swapping technology that deliver more flexibility and less downtime than current static charging technologies. This work will complement the electrification pilots of ultra-class mining haul trucks planned for the Pilbara [in Australia].”

Source: Rio Tinto

Source link by Charged EVs

Author Charles Morris

#Rio #Tinto #Chinas #SPIC #partner #test #electric #mining #trucks #battery #swapping

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Electric Ram REV delayed to first half of 2025

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November 20, 2024

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Electric Ram REV delayed to first half of 2025

Stellantis is delaying the start of production of the Ram 1500 REV electric pickup truck to the first half of 2025, Reuters reports.

Production was originally scheduled to start before the end of this year, making the REV a 2025 model, but is being pushed back to ensure quality, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said on a media call with Reuters and other outlets.

“We are just facing a very significant amount of workload,” Tavares said.

2025 Ram 1500 REV

First shown in 2023, the Ram 1500 REV aims to upstage the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck with up to 500 miles of range, courtesy of a 229-kwh battery pack. A 168-kwh pack will be standard, delivering what Ram estimates to be up to 350 miles of range. And 350-kw DC fast-charging can recover up to 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes, Ram has said.

Ram has also confirmed a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 654 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. It’s promised a 0-60 mph time of 4.4. seconds, a 14,000-pound towing capacity, and a 2,700-pound payload capacity.

2025 Ram 1500 REV at the 2023 New York auto show

Stellantis is also preparing a range-extended Ram 1500 Ramcharger pickup. This uses a 92-kwh battery pack that Ram has said will provide 145 miles of range on its own, while a V-6 engine provides another 545 miles by running as a generator. This truck is also slated to arrive as a 2025 model, but Ram hasn’t confirmed exact timing.

The electrified Ram 1500 trucks are based on the STLA Frame platform, which the automaker just this week provided further details on. It’s the largest of four so-called multi-energy platforms first announced in 2021, and designed to support battery-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel-cell, and internal-combustion powertrains. In addition to Ram trucks, STLA Frame will be used for commercial vehicles and full-size SUVs such as the next iterations of the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer—which will also get range-extended powertrains.

Source link by Green Car Reports
Author news@greencarreports.com (Stephen Edelstein)

#Electric #Ram #REV #delayed

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Tesla makes finding charging stations for people towing trailers easier

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November 20, 2024

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Tesla makes finding charging stations for people towing trailers easier

Tesla has released a new navigation feature to make it easier for people towing trailers to find charging stations that can accommodate them.

Towing trailers with electric vehicles is not yet super popular, but it is rapidly gaining in popularity, with more electric SUVs and pickup trucks having increasingly impressive towing capacity.

Tesla has had the Model Y and Model X with a limited but still useful towing capacity for a few years, but with now the Cybertruck and the opening of its Supercharger network to other EVs, including many pickup trucks, the automaker is starting to see more people arriving at its popular charging stations with trailers.

This can be problematic as if you don’t want to block several chargers, you are going to have to unhook your trailer to go charge your vehicle. That’s less than ideal and something gas-powered vehicles rarely have to do at gas stations.

Tesla’s solution has been to build a few “pull in” charging spots at some Supercharger stations that enable you to park with your trailer while charging (via Tesla Motors club):

Tesla is currently building more of these stations, but they are still far and few in between and hard to find.

The automaker is now making it easier to find with a new software update. Now, you can click on a Supercharger station, and it will tell you if it has trailer stalls.

Furthermore, if you are driving on “trailer mode” and searching for charging stations, those with “trailer friendly” stalls will appear at the top:

However, as usual, when traveling long distances in an electric vehicle, you are better off just doing a bit of planning about where to charge ahead of time, especially if you are going to be towing over long distances.

Now that Tesla can distinguish between trailer-friendly and non-trailer-friendly stations, the automaker can hopefully include it in its API for other automakers to integrate into their own navigation systems as many of them can start using the Supercharger network.

Part of Tesla’s Supercharger network is powered by solar, but the best way to power your electric car with solar is at home. If you want to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage. EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar – whether you’re a homeowner or renter. They have hundreds of vetted solar installers competing for your business (including Tesla and Powerwall certified installers in some markets), ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20 to 30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online, and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Source link by Electrek
Author Fred Lambert

#Tesla #finding #charging #stations #people #towing #trailers #easier

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Voters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, create a local clean energy utility

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November 20, 2024

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Chart: Steelmaking is starting to go electric

The SEU plans to install and own solar panels on customers’ rooftops and batteries in their sheds and garages, selling those customers the power at cost, without a markup. That lets residents access solar power and backup power without dropping a load of cash up front for it or taking on debt. This kind of subscription is available from companies like Sunrun, but they do it to make money, not to sell at cost.

The most radical dimension of the plan is to use the city’s utility franchise rights to build wires between properties, so that they can share excess solar power locally. Most everywhere in the country, customer-led upgrades have to stay on the customer side of the utility meter; crossing that boundary to sell power to a neighbor violates the utility’s legally enforced monopoly. This stands in the way of visions for interconnected neighborhoods generating and selling power with each other based on who needs it at a given moment.

But Ann Arbor officials tracked down a century-old precedent that makes sharing power possible: “The Michigan Constitution preserves the rights of cities and villages to form their own utility or to supplement an existing utility,” Missy Stults, the city’s sustainability and innovation director, told me.

Thus, the SEU will link up different properties if the people living there want it. If a home generates more solar than it can use, it could run a line to a neighboring house that’s shaded by trees, allowing it to buy surplus power.

“We’ll be able to connect homes with each other, schools with homes, schools with each other,” Taylor said. “We’re going to do this in a way that is cost-effective and fully opt-in.”

This plan assumes people will be happy to offer up their roof space for panels that the SEU will own and use for broader community benefit. But doing so will let that household buy cheaper, cleaner power for itself. The battery controls present some additional complications: Will the host customer get first dibs on backup power, or will that be split among the locally connected homes as well? This is new territory for distributed energy in the U.S.

That said, the strong show of support at the ballot box demonstrates the local community is fully on board with the general direction of the SEU. It’s no accident that this idea is coming to fruition in a college town like Ann Arbor, said Liesl Clark, a former state climate leader who now serves as director of climate action engagement at the University of Michigan.

“There are a lot of people who are innovative and also are interested in having agency,” she said. “It is a community that was ripe for a solution like this.”

Furthermore, the city structured the plan in a way to minimize any downside for residents who don’t want to jump on the decentralized power opportunity.

“You haven’t asked me how much it’s going to cost the taxpayer,” Taylor told me as I was about to wrap up our phone call. He answered the rhetorical question: “Nothing!”

That pledge veers into too-good-to-be-true territory, but the SEU structure makes it possible. The city won’t levy any new taxes because it’s not buying out DTE’s assets. Instead, it’s installing new equipment based on voluntary customer commitments, and those customers pay their way, while saving themselves money.

Breaking free from utilities without all the hassle

The outcome of this effort remains far from certain. But so far, Ann Arbor has managed to pursue a low-drama, low-conflict way to break up with a monopoly utility, in contrast to high-profile recent attempts elsewhere.

The city of Boulder, Colorado, famously fought for a decade to peel off from Xcel Energy, and ultimately gave up. In 2010, California mega-utility PG&E spent $46 million to make it harder for communities to source their own electricity, though even that gargantuan sum failed to stop the rise of community choice aggregators.

Maine has grappled for years with its deeply unpopular monopoly utilities. Last year, voters nonetheless soundly rejected a ballot referendum to seize utility assets under a new public power entity. The utilities spent $40 million to fight it, and independent experts raised concerns about how the public entity would deliver on promises of a cheaper, more efficient grid after saddling itself with billions of dollars of debt.

Activists in Ann Arbor have also pushed for full municipalization — a city-level version of what Maine considered and rejected. The city is working on a second study to dig into the details of what purchasing the grid infrastructure would entail. That conversation will continue as the SEU implementation moves forward, Taylor noted.

For its part, Michigan utility DTE hasn’t declared war on Ann Arbor. Following the vote, the company stated that it will continue to invest in making the city’s grid more resilient and clean — a recent Michigan climate law requires ramping to 60 percent renewable power by 2035 and 100 percent clean electricity by 2040.

The public interest in full municipalization may explain the muted response from the utility: The SEU allows DTE to go on with business as usual, and its distribution grid will continue to play a crucial role even if kilowatt-hour sales decline from the new local solar generation.

Instead of fighting the utility colossus head on, Ann Arbor is taking a live-and-let-live approach. It’s a case where avoiding head-on conflict could make it possible to deliver the benefits of clean, local energy far more quickly.

Source link by Canary Media

Author Julian Spector

#Voters #Ann #Arbor #Michigan #create #local #clean #energy #utility

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Corporate America is investing in record levels of solar and storage

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November 20, 2024

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Corporate America is investing in record levels of solar and storage

Corporate America is investing in clean energy at record levels, with tech giants taking the top spots for users of solar.

Meta, Google, and Amazon are leading the charge in solar and battery storage adoption, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA’s) latest “Solar Means Business” report.

Meta continues to hold the title of the top solar user in corporate America, with nearly 5.2 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity installed. Meanwhile, Google leads the way in energy storage, boasting 936 megawatt-hours (MWh) of installed battery capacity. Through the first quarter of 2024, these companies have added the most solar capacity to their electricity portfolios, with major players like General Motors, Toyota, and US Steel also climbing the ranks.

The report reveals that US businesses have installed nearly 40 GW of solar capacity both onsite and offsite through Q1 2024, and corporate storage use now exceeds 1.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh). Even more growth is coming: Companies have over 3 GWh of battery storage under contract that will come online in the next five years.

“Some of the largest industrial and data operations in the world continue turning to solar and storage as a reliable, low-cost way to power their operations,” said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper.

Technology companies are at the forefront of this shift as data center growth drives skyrocketing electricity demand. Amazon, for example, leads the US with 13.6 GW of solar procurements under contract, while Meta and Google each have nearly 6 GW under contract – pipelines over 10 times larger than the next company in the rankings.

Target remains the US’s leading onsite corporate solar user for the ninth year in a row, with Prologis, Walmart, Amazon, and Blackstone also making the top five. For the first time, the “Solar Means Business” report is also tracking corporate battery energy storage, with Google, Apple, Meta, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Kohl’s among the top 10 companies using storage to meet more of their energy needs in real-time.

Looking ahead, both offsite and onsite energy storage are expected to play a bigger role in corporate renewable energy strategies. Medical companies like Kaiser Permanente are already using batteries to power microgrids, making their facilities more resilient to outages.

Carolyn Campbell, Meta’s head of clean and renewable energy, East, highlighted the importance of expanding solar capacity to match the company’s global operations with 100% clean energy: “We’re thrilled to rank number one for corporate solar procurement in SEIA’s report this year, and we continue to find ways to grow the grid to benefit everyone.”

Target’s vice president of property management, Erin Tyler, said of Target’s 20-year-old solar program, “Through our commitment to solar, we’re well on our way to achieving our corporate goal of sourcing 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.”

The “Solar Means Business” report also looks at the policies driving corporate America’s adoption of solar. Many companies are taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s long-term clean energy incentives. To further accelerate their renewable energy investments, businesses are calling for improvements in interconnection processes, new community solar legislation, and simpler tax credit monetization.

Read more: A 100-MW solar farm just broke ground in Wisconsin

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Source link by Electrek
Author Michelle Lewis

#Corporate #America #investing #record #levels #solar #storage

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Natural Resources Canada provides $13.3 million to deploy new EV chargers

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November 20, 2024

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Natural Resources Canada provides $13.3 million to deploy new EV chargers

The Canadian government is investing 18.6 million Canadian dollars ($13.3 million) in EV chargers across the country.

“The installation of these chargers will help EV drivers get to where they need to go with confidence and ease,” Natural Resources Canada said.

The funds will be given to multiple organizations that will use them to install over 1,600 Level 2 and DC fast chargers in Toronto and across Canada.

The federal funding for the EV charger installation project was provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

“To support Canadians driving EVs, where they live, work, travel and play, the Government of Canada is helping to build reliable and available charging options,” said Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Canada is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for natural resources and energy. To date, NRC investments have helped deploy more than 41,000 chargers across the country.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Source link by Charged EVs

Author Jonathan Spira

#Natural #Resources #Canada #million #deploy #chargers

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Review: 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali multitasks to the max

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November 19, 2024

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Review: 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali multitasks to the max

Sierra EV Denali stands out with a GM-estimated 460 miles
Midgate setup allows flexibility for items nearing 11-feet long
Versatility from air suspension, rear-wheel steering, Super Cruise

“I’ve been on that route, and it’s not a route for a full-size pickup—let alone one weighing nearly 9,000 pounds.”

That was what I noted, partly in disbelief, to my co-driver as we were shown into a 2025 GMC Sierra EV and sent off to wind up through narrow Bay Area Redwood highways and stretches of Skyline Boulevard.

Memory served well about the roads; the route included some undulating ribbons of asphalt on ridges that I’d enjoyed thoroughly in a little Volkswagen GTI years earlier. But I completely underestimated the Sierra EV.

At about 233 inches long and 84 inches wide not counting mirrors, the big electric truck wasn’t so nerve-wracking for tackling narrow lanes. I could place it with precision, thanks to rear-wheel steering that pivots the rear wheels at a small angle opposite the fronts in low-speed hairpins. Instant torque delivery from the Sierra EV’s dual-motor system meant we didn’t lose momentum up the hills, while the air suspension kept us feeling even-keeled. Strong regenerative braking (Normal and High) kept our speed right as it should be on the steep downhill grades.

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali

I went into the day knowing well this truck’s lofty range claim of 460 miles and how quickly it accelerates—and I didn’t need further proof that it can blast quietly to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds (or better, it seems). But GMC nudged us along the kind of route I never would have chosen, including plenty of those curves, some towing, some in-the-dirt play with the rear-wheel steering demonstrating the astonishing maneuverability and camera views, and an exercise with CrabWalk mode, which points the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts. And it turned us loose with the challenge of fitting a whole lot of outdoor-fun gear into the Sierra EV in a hurry.

By the end of the day, I felt schooled. GMC hasn’t made a quirky design statement (that’s the Cybertruck), aimed for the outdoor lifestyle crowd (that’s the R1T), or simply made an electric version of its top-selling truck (that’s the F-150 Lightning).

The GMC Sierra EV sits next to the GMC Hummer EV in the GMC lineup, and the brand essentially separates the two by saying that if the Hummer EV pickup is the “it” truck, the Sierra EV is the “do it” truck. As a product, it’s a more impressive accomplishment for the market, and if you’re looking for the most cargo versatility for large items, and the most range for towing, hauling, and doing trucky things, this is it.

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali

2025 GMC Sierra EV: Big range for a “do it” truck

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV has some of the market’s highest range ratings, not because it’s a standout for efficiency but because it goes big on its battery packs. Both battery packs are dual-layer, with the capability to stitch the two layers together in series to allow 800-volt DC fast-charging. The Max Range’s 205 kwh, it achieves range ratings of 460 miles, and the Extended Range’s 170 kwh affords 390 miles. The Max Range number is “GM-estimated,” because that super-sized pack throws the Sierra EV into a medium-weight category that doesn’t apply to EPA ratings.

Over nearly 90 miles of widely varied street and highway driving, we saw 1.9 miles per kwh according to the Sierra EV’s trip computer—suggesting we might still see 390 miles of range or more in this type of driving.

The huge battery opens up possibilities. The Sierra EV can tow up to 10,500 pounds with the Extended Range pack or 10,000 pounds with the Max Range pack, and while it might halve the range, that’s not so much of an issue here.

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali

2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1

Sierra EV can tow comfortably, find space for gear

In a short loop with a 5,500-pound trailer, the Sierra EV seemed mostly unfazed by the load, still capable of accelerating quicker than a fully loaded minivan. On a loop with two full-acceleration taps, it averaged just 1.0 miles per kwh, according to the trip computer—still indicating that 200 miles of range is possible with a horse trailer or large boat.

Max Range versions like the one I drove deliver up to 760 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque, via two permanent magnet motors that are designed and built by GM. Extended Range versions have essentially the same hardware, other than the battery pack, but make 645 hp and 785 lb-ft.

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali

Those power numbers, and the 4.5-second acceleration time for the Max version, are only delivered when in Max Power mode. The Sierra EV also has Normal-Tour, Off-Road, Tow-Haul, and a customized mode. GM would not say what peak power is in any of those other modes.

The Sierra EV has an 11.0-cubic-foot frunk—called the eTrunk here, with a cupholder, a drain, weatherproofing, and more. But the surprise cargo-versatility star here is the Midgate. In just a few minutes you can convert the backseat area into an expansion of the cargo bed—creating a 9-foot-1-long space with the tailgate locked, or a 10-foot-10 space with the tailgate down and the flip-down tailgate load step used to backstop long items—like a kayak.

Engineers emphasized that the Midgate isn’t meant as a solution to only use once in a while, rather something you might use daily. While it’s not weatherproof, of course, it’s a great solution for bringing gear a few miles to a launch point—without having to get specialized carriers—and you can leave one of the backseat positions in place while using it.

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali

Sierra EV Denali is expensive, but very well equipped

The GMC Sierra is very closely related to the Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, but there are some key differences in how it fits into the EV market and the truck market. In 2024, the Sierra EV was only offered in its top Denali trim, with what’s essentially “the works”—the biggest battery pack, the air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and a feature set that’s one of the most luxury-focused among full-size pickups.

For 2025, there have been only some slight price changes, the addition of the Extended Range version, and 20 miles more for the Max Range version due to some efficiency improvements to the motor units themselves. My day was spent with the top Sierra EV Denali version, in Max Range form, costing at least $100,495—including the $2,095 destination fee but not any additional accessories for towing and storage.

The Sierra EV Denali includes the air suspension, rear-wheel steering, a panoramic sunroof, heated-and-cooled front seats, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard seats, a head-up display, wi-fi hotspot compatibility, and seven-speaker Bose audio. There’s also wireless charging cleverly integrated into a sliding center console tray, plus plenty of USB-C ports and a 120-volt AC cabin outlets. In addition there’s the 7.2-kw AC Offboarding Power station that might eliminate the need to take that small generator out to the campsite or job site.

I didn’t get the chance to charge the Sierra EV as part of this brief test drive. Peak fast-charging rates are listed as 350 kw for the Max Range pack and 300 kw for the Extended Range pack. GM says that on a 350-kw CCS connector it will recover up to 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes, and it’s said before that either of these packs will get from 10-80% in about 40 minutes. GMC integrates a battery preconditioning feature to help achieve peak rates; it works with the native navigation trip planner or via the press of a virtual button.

2025 GMC Sierra EV with GM Energy suite

Ready for backing up the home, not Apple CarPlay

In the give-and-take of EV living, the Sierra EV also includes the capability to output 10.2 kw AC, potentially eliminating the need to tote around a generator. And starting with the $1,699 PowerShift charger, owners can outfit their home with GM energy components that could use the Sierra EV to help backup the home—including PowerBank home energy storage.

While the GMC Sierra EV Denali shares much with the Chevrolet Silverado EV, one of the most pronounced cabin differences is that the Sierra EV gets a 16.8-inch portrait-oriented system instead of the Chevy’s landscape orientation. Just like in the Silverado EV and other new GM EVs, it’s made with Google built-in, including the capability to run Google-ecosystem apps—but there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility or integration.

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali

GM’s Super Cruise is also included (for three years) in the Sierra EV, allowing hands-off driving plus semi-automated lane changes on more than 750,000 miles of mapped roads and highways—with maintained driver attention. Super Cruise also now works when towing. With the 5,500-pound load, I engaged the feature briefly and found steady lane positioning and solid speed control using the regenerative braking. But it’s still not a perfect system or one to rely on all the time; when I attempted to use the system to cruise on US-101 around Palo Alto, it kept disabling itself as it couldn’t see the faint-and-inconsistent lane markings that we had no issue seeing.

GMC has managed to accommodate tall people so well in front and in back, allowing plenty of headroom and a great view outward. Seats are plush yet supportive front and rear.

The cabin is super-quiet, aided by three things: an active-noise cancellation function for the Bose audio system, additional noise padding underneath compared to GMC’s other models, and acoustic side glass. It adds up to the ambience of a luxury vehicle.

That ambience holds in this Denali version, with fine stitching details in the front perforated seats, patterned speaker grilles, laser-cut wood trim, and a tight fit and finish throughout. We’ll see if these standards hold for the less-expensive versions to come.

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali

More GMC electric trucks on the way—but when?

GMC has said that more affordable Sierra EV AT4 and Elevation models are due in 2025, although it hasn’t confirmed whether that will be for the 2025 or 2026 model year. GM also hasn’t given an update on when it plans to ramp up production of these trucks at its Lake Orion, Michigan, plant where it ceased building the Bolt EV nearly a year ago. Until then, output will be limited.

But it’s easy, also, to envision an even more kitted-out version of the Sierra EV with magnetic ride—to quell the hold-on-tight, amusement-park-ride feeling you get in the Sierra EV when accelerating rapidly on imperfect pavement. Perhaps those are the changes that will elevate this platform for the upcoming Cadillac Escalade IQ.

GM has overcome lots of preconceptions—including my own—and shown what a great electric truck it can make. Now it needs to make more of them.

Source link by Green Car Reports
Author news@greencarreports.com (Bengt Halvorson)

#Review #GMC #Sierra #Denali #multitasks #max

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Xiaomi raises delivery target yet again for its new EV, as ‘demand surges’

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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November 19, 2024

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Xiaomi raises delivery target yet again for its new EV, as ‘demand surges’

Ford-CEO-Chinese-EV — Xiaomi SU7 (Source: Xiaomi)

China’s Xiaomi has reported a 30.5% growth in third-quarter revenue for its EV business, with the company also bumping up its yearly delivery target for the SU7 series EVs to 130,000 units.

Back in May, Xiaomi – the world’s third-largest smartphone maker – had said that it planned to build 100,000 EVs by the end of the year, with the company well on its way to achieving that goal. CEO Lei Jun said on his social media account that the company was bumping up its previous target of 120,000 of its first EV as “demand surges,” reports Reuters.

Last December, Xiaomi debuted its first vehicle, the SU7, which officially launched in March, offering three versions – Standard, Pro, and Max, with the Standard starting at $30,761 – strategically about $4,000 cheaper than the price of Tesla’s Model 3 in China. A souped-up hypercar version, the Ultra, has also since been unveiled.

Since its launch, the SU7 has been a hit in China and is set to easily surpass production goals of 100,000 units one month early. To boost that momentum, Xiaomi now expects to complete the construction of an expansion of its EV factory in mid-2025, which should ramp up its numbers even more – at least, that’s the aim.

In the third quarter of this year, Xiaomi has said that it delivered 39,790 units of the SU7, for a total sales figure from its March launch to the end of September to 67,157 units.

Huatai Securities has forecast Xiaomi will deliver 400,000 EVs in 2025, with its EV business accounting for about a fifth of its revenue compared with 8% this year, Reuters reports.

Of course, analysts have predicted the company would lose money on its SU7, to the tune of around $10,000 a vehicle, but the smartphone maker has a tidy cash reserve of $15 billion to help it weather the storm.

Xiaomi SU7 — Source: Xiaomi Weibo account

While facing plenty of competition in China from the likes of BYD, the company has, for one, tremendous brand appeal to the Chinese consumer, who are already familiar with its products and user interfaces. In addition to an alluring price point, the SU7 is a connected car that syncs with other devices. Compared to other EV makers, Xiaomi, too, has an edge on software and a jumpstart on autonomous driving, which it has been testing on roads for a few years.

The company says it plans to invest $10 billion over the next 10 years in building its EV empire, reports have said. By the end of the year, the company expects to expand to 22 sales stores, 135 service centers, and 53 delivery hubs in 59 cities.

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Source link by Electrek
Author Jennifer Mossalgue

#Xiaomi #raises #delivery #target #demand #surges

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