You’d be forgiven for thinking the American market for EVs is collapsing. But in the last quarter of 2023, EV sales were up 40% from the same quarter a year before, according to Cox Automotive. In fact, EV sales in the United States hit a record last year, topping 1 million for the first time.
…
“Between $50,000 and $60,000 now we get Kia and we get Cadillac,” said Tyson Jominy, an industry analyst with J.D. Power, referring to the Kia EV9 and Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicles. “Those two don’t normally face each other.”
Besides being too expensive for the average buyer, selection is limited in terms of body style, said Corey Cantor, an industry analyst with Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The vast majority are relatively expensive SUVs, and there are few sedans or compact cars for customers who want something different.
Not so sure Kia is the best option from a human rights standpoint since child labor can be found throughout their supply chain:
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-immigration-hyundai/
I’d say go with a used vehicle (<2022) which can qualify for up to $4k of tax credit. That can bring the price of a Bolt down to a decent price. Or if you still need some range, get a plug in hybrid which also qualifies. Plus you won’t be adding the carbon emissions of a new vehicle.
Unfortunately most of the world’s cobalt comes from the DRC, so I doubt any automaker’s supply chain is clean of child labor.
I don’t know how much of a reason that is to rule out Kia. I think every large automaker has got to be horrible in one way or another; the only difference is whether we know about it or not.