BRIEFLY: Hyundai 5 N, California Incentives, Robotaxi Crashes and more | 23 Sep 2025
EV News Daily - Technology and Business of EVs
Martyn Lee
4.8 • 749 Ratings
🗓️ 23 September 2025
⏱️ 4 minutes
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Summary
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HYUNDAI ADDS NEW IONIQ 5 N TRIM CALLED ‘ESSENTIAL’
Hyundai introduced the IONIQ 5 N Essential trim, making high-performance electric driving more accessible by offering core N features and vital technologies at a reduced price. This new option also includes advanced driver safety systems and a unique Parking Assist Lite package, providing excellent value for EV enthusiasts.
California will focus resources on expanding EV charging infrastructure after deciding not to immediately replace the expiring federal EV tax credit, aiming to support long-term statewide electrification. The state may revive its own incentive next year, potentially funded by successful carbon-trading programs, and remains committed to reducing emissions and fostering green innovation.
Tesla’s Austin robotaxi pilot transparently reported three crashes shortly after launch, with all incidents involving either minor injuries or none, demonstrating strong incident management and care for participants. The pilot continues under close regulatory oversight, highlighting Tesla’s commitment to safe autonomous vehicle testing.
Tesla swiftly updated its order process to align with the IRS’s newly clarified rules, ensuring more customers can still benefit from the $7,500 federal EV tax credit even if delivery takes place after September 30. This proactive approach helps buyers maximize incentives while making EV ownership more affordable.
Tesla is preparing to launch a virtual queuing system for Supercharger stations, allowing owners to secure a spot without waiting on-site—a step that promises to streamline the charging experience. The development, discovered in the latest over-the-air update, could soon become widely available and improves convenience for all Tesla drivers.
Porsche is adapting to global market conditions by ensuring customers can choose from both advanced hybrids and exciting new combustion models while ramping up investments in future EVs. With several electrified and hybrid options planned, Porsche is positioning itself to deliver innovation and performance for every driver preference.
Lucid’s Gravity SUV inventory sold out online in less than 24 hours, signaling enthusiastic demand for the company’s latest electric model. Production is set to ramp up further following supply chain improvements, with the Gravity poised to become a flagship offering for Lucid this year.
Jeep is refocusing its Gladiator lineup in response to evolving customer preferences, ensuring continued investment and production stability for this popular midsize pickup through at least 2028. The model remains strong, with recent sales growth following price adjustments, and Jeep continues to innovate with their electrified SUV range.
Production of the Kia EV4 has begun at the AutoLand facility in Slovakia, making it Kia’s first European-built electric vehicle. The advanced plant combines state-of-the-art robotics and engineering expertise to deliver vehicles with specially tuned handling for European roads, following rigorous validation tests.
Hyundai is proactively recalling Ioniq 6 fastbacks to address a charging-port door issue, with a straightforward fix already implemented to ensure safety and customer confidence. The company’s rapid response underscores its dedication to ongoing quality and reliability for EV owners.
Volvo performed an unprecedented three-vehicle crash test with the EX90, going beyond regulatory requirements to set new benchmarks for real-world EV safety. Test data showed excellent occupant protection, demonstrating Volvo’s continued leadership in automotive safety during the industry’s electrification shift.
Rivian’s Adventure Network now welcomes all EVs at 100 of its charging sites, greatly expanding fast-charging access and convenience for drivers of every brand. With a robust rollout of new and upgraded dispensers, Rivian is making reliable, high-speed charging more accessible across North America.
BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme set a new world speed record for production vehicles, reaching 496.22 km/h (308.4 mph) thanks to cutting-edge electric propulsion technology. This achievement highlights the remarkable performance potential of EVs and demonstrates BYD’s leadership in automotive innovation.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | It's EV News briefly for Tuesday, September 23rd, everything EV in less than five minutes. If you haven't got time for the full podcast, we'll get you up to speed. Check out the Patreon page where you get the bonus show seven days before everybody else. If that's the kind of thing you'd like to have a look at and support the work that I do here, check out patreon.com slash EV News Daily. Hyundai is adding a new essential trim, a essentially cheaper trim to the five. That's the |
| 0:23.3 | performance bit. That's actually re-engineered. Now, they're keeping all of the engineering |
| 0:26.7 | of the Arnick Five, but they're reducing, when they say some of the luxury features, parking assist |
| 0:32.8 | light, for instance. I wonder if that reduces the weight as well. It makes it even better in |
| 0:37.0 | terms of performance. |
| 0:38.2 | The power train all staying the same. And it's about 55,000 US equivalent starting in Korea. |
| 0:43.4 | California say they won't replace the federal tax credit on October the 1st. They decided to spend the money. |
| 0:49.2 | Any public money will go into increasing the public infrastructure there in terms of the charging network. |
| 0:55.3 | Tesla's Robotaxi pilot in Austin has reported three crashes already shortly after launching. |
| 1:00.3 | Now, this is coming from July data because it's now coming out. |
| 1:03.5 | All of the incidents involved either minor injuries or none. |
| 1:07.0 | None of them were serious, but at a point when they were covering only in the low thousands |
| 1:10.8 | of miles, that's not a great start, a bumpy start for that rollout, considering they have |
| 1:16.1 | safety drivers in the vehicles as well. Tesla has updated the language on their website. This is great |
| 1:21.9 | news because the IRS clarified that you only have to have an order, put some money down on an |
| 1:26.1 | EV, and then when it arrives, you don't have to get all the paperwork done and have it all in your driveway by September 30th in seven days' time. And so this is great. And Tesla, we're even saying we can deliver cars in 2026 and still get the federal tax credit. If you get a signed order, put some money down in the next seven days, and you get a |
| 1:44.5 | half grand off. There must be a deadline. This is tax filing. So you can't just go on indefinitely, |
| 1:49.2 | can you? Now, Tesla's supercharger virtual queue system seems to be rolling out. This is great news, |
| 1:55.4 | allowing customers to secure a spot waiting at a site. It's not rolling out as in real life, but all the kind of icons |
| 2:03.7 | and code have been found in an over-the-air update. It seems ready to roll out. We know they've |
| 2:08.0 | been testing it for ages as well. So hopefully ready for prime time before holiday season this year |
| 2:13.2 | to make queuing just a little bit easier. A virtual queue, if it's a half hour queue, |
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