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Lucid Will Knock Off $31,500 But There’s A String Attached

  • You can lease a Lucid Air Pure for $519 monthly, but it requires a down payment.
  • The company offers up to $31,500 in lease savings on the most expensive trim.
  • Financing options include 2.99% APR for 72 months and large purchase incentives.

The Lucid Air is an exceptional electric sedan, but unfortunately, its premium price tag puts it out of reach for many. Now, Lucid is offering substantial discounts, slashing up to $31,500 off the price. The catch? These savings only apply if you’re leasing. Still, for those open to a 36-month commitment, the 2025 Lucid Air could be yours for as little as $519 per month.

The cheapest of the three Lucid Air models included in this promotion is the Air Pure. Cutting payments down to $519/month for 36 months involved Lucid introducing a $2,000 on-site vehicle bonus, a $2,000 conquest offer if they own a vehicle from a competitor, and a special Air Credit. All Lucid Air models are also eligible for the full $7,500 EV tax credit.

Read: Lucid Promised Luxury But All This Owner Got Was Regret And Nightmares

The savings amount to $21,500 for the Air Pure. Opting for a lease, however, requires a $3,696 down payment due at signing. That effectively increases the monthly payment up to $620. For those who would prefer to finance, the Air Pure is available at 2.99% APR for up to 72 months, plus a $10,000 Air Credit. The cash price remains at $69,900, but includes an extra $10,000 in Air Credit for other cash purchases.

 Lucid Will Knock Off $31,500 But There’s A String Attached

The discounts for the Air Touring amount to $26,500, and it can now be leased from $539/month for 36 months with $4,079 due at signing. Add that down payment to the equation and you’re looking at $652/month. Like the base model, the Air Touring can be financed at 2.99% APR for up to 72 months and includes a $7,500 Air Credit. For those who can afford to pay upfront, the Touring starts at $78,900 and has a $7,500 Air Credit.

The final model available with the new deals is the Air Grand Touring. Savings add up to $31,500, including a $20,000 Air Credit, allowing it to be leased for $849 per month for 36 months with $6,819 due at signing. The monthly payments work out to be the equivalent of $1,038 when factoring in the down payment. The cash price starts at $110,900 with a $5,000 Air Credit.

Lucid’s latest price cuts won’t suddenly make the Air a people’s car, but if you’ve been circling the luxury EV lot looking for a deal, this might finally move the needle.

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Tesla Just Made The New Model Y Leases More Affordable Than Ever

  • Tesla slashed lease costs on Model Y Long Range with lower payments.
  • Dual-motor version now leases for $530 monthly before fees and incentives.
  • It also confirmed that the 1.99% financing deal for the AWD will end next month.

Tesla is pushing hard on its updated Model Y lineup, trimming lease costs and setting an end date for a low-interest financing offer that’s been floating around for a while.

Let’s focus on the lease deal first because it’s the best we’ve seen so far. Earlier this month, Tesla tried to sweeten the deal on the Model Y by releasing the new and more afforable Long Range RWD version.

More: Tesla On FSD Suddenly Swerves And Crashes Into A Tree, Claims Driver

Tesla has reworked the lease terms (likely by reducing the Money Factor / interest rate) so the Long Range RWD can be had for $491 a month on a 36-month, 10,000-mile-per-year lease with zero down, before taxes and fees. That figure drops even more if your state throws in EV incentives. In Massachusetts, for example, a $3,500 state rebate brings the payment down to just $380 a month. Prefer a shorter lease? A 24-month term with the same mileage costs $525 per month before taxes and fees.

Step up to the dual-motor Long Range AWD version and the numbers have been lowered too. Tesla has knocked around $75 off the previous monthly lease rate, bringing it down to $530 per month for 36 months and 10,000 miles. Apply that same Massachusetts incentive and you’re looking at $421 a month. The 24-month lease for this trim is $560.

 Tesla Just Made The New Model Y Leases More Affordable Than Ever

In terms of financing deals, the Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive is still available with an APR of just 1.99 percent. Notably, that deal is available for a minimum down payment of 15% plus applicable taxes and fees for up to 72 months. Those who do need to use the 84-month term are subject to a much less appealing 6.44 percent APR. That has been the case for a little while now, but Tesla is putting a deadline on it. It’ll end after June 16.

Finally, the Long Range RWD version isn’t available with 1.99 percent financing. The best rate available on it right now is 5.49 percent. Granted, the total price difference between the two versions is just $4,000 total so moving up to the AWD variant is probably what Tesla wants customers to do. 

Tesla being Tesla, just because those better APRs expire on June 16 doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. All it takes is a little patience. If inventory doesn’t move fast enough, there’s a decent chance Tesla brings them back, or maybe even throws out a zero percent deal before the year’s over.

 Tesla Just Made The New Model Y Leases More Affordable Than Ever

Hyundai Slashes Ioniq 5 N Lease Price, But You Better Hurry

  • The Ioniq 5 N lease price dropped from $899/month to $699, with $4K due at signing.
  • The new offer is available for a limited time, with no change to the down payment.
  • Hyundai is clearing out existing Ioniq 5 N inventory before the 2026 model release.

Given the performance of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, affordability might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, it’s now cheaper to lease in the States than before, as Hyundai prepares for the 2026 model release and works to clear out existing inventory, even though no major changes are expected.

Read: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Owners Report Dangerous Acceleration After Software Fix

Leasing the Ioniq 5 N had previously been quite expensive, with monthly payments set at $899 for 36 months, plus a $3,999 down payment due at signing before taxes and delivery fees. This brought the effective cost to about $1,010 per month. That’s an eye-watering amount, and nearly double some of the lease deals we’ve seen for the Lucid Air in recent months.

Now, Hyundai has slashed the Ioniq 5 N lease to $699 per month for 36 months, keeping the $3,999 down payment at signing. This offer kicked in on May 9 and will run until June 2, so you’d better hurry if you’re interested.

From what we learned, Hyundai achieved this drop by cutting the Money Factor (the interest rate used to calculate the rent charge) to .00017 for 24-month/12,000-mile leases and .00016 for 36-month/10,000-mile leases, while also inflating the residual values (the car’s expected value at the end of the lease) to 52% and 45%, respectively.

For the 36-month/10,000-mile option with the down payment, the effective monthly lease comes out to $810 before taxes and delivery fees. If you opt for a zero down payment, the total rises to $848.17 due to the higher interest rate. Hyundai also offers a purchase option at the end of the lease for $32,484, plus an additional $300 fee.

 Hyundai Slashes Ioniq 5 N Lease Price, But You Better Hurry

Other Options

While this deal might be too good to refuse for some, it’s worth keeping in mind that Kia is gearing up to launch its facelifted EV6 GT, and it features many of the same features as the Ioniq 5 N. In addition to rocking the same basic dual-motor powertrain, it has been updated with the same Virtual Gear Shift function as the Hyundai and promises an ICE-inspired soundtrack, too.

If you’re looking to buy, the Ioniq 5 N starts at $67,675. On one hand, that’s fairly reasonable for an electric vehicle that offers practicality alongside supercar-level performance. On the other hand, it’s still significantly more expensive than the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which starts at $54,990.

Review: What’s It Like Living With The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N?

Plus, if you go for colors like Stealth Grey, Pearl White, or Deep Blue metallic, the flagship Model 3 qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit, bringing the price down to $47,490 before taxes and fees. Something to keep in mind.

That said, for those looking for an EV that prioritizes driver involvement in a way no other competitor currently does, the Ioniq 5 N remains a solid choice. With up to 641 horsepower, it can go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.4 seconds, and it even allows you to adjust the power split between the front and rear wheels for a truly customizable experience.

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Want An Ioniq 9? Hyundai’s Already Offering $13,000 Discounts On Lease Prices

  • Hyundai is offering most Ioniq 9 trim levels with $13,000 in lease cash.
  • All Ioniq 9s have a large 110.3 kWh battery pack and over 310 miles of range.
  • This new three-row electric SUV is available for as little as $558 per month.

The Ioniq 9 may have only just launched in America this month, but Hyundai is already moving quickly to attract attention and drive foot traffic to its dealerships. To spark interest, the automaker is offering some very competitive leasing and financing deals, providing potential buyers with a strong incentive to consider the brand’s first-ever three-row electric SUV.

Several trim levels of the Ioniq 9 come with up to $13,000 in lease cash that discounts the MSRP, available for those who opt for a 36-month lease. This makes it possible to drive away in a rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 9 S for as low as $419 per month.

Read: Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 Is Pricier Than EV9 But More Miles May Just Sell It

Before you get too excited, though, the devil is in the details. Hyundai also requires a $4,999 down payment, which raises the effective monthly payment to $558. Even so, this still seems like a solid deal, especially when you compare it to the $662 monthly payment for a Toyota Highlander XLE Hybrid, according to CarsDirect.

For those not keen on a three-year commitment, a 24-month lease is also available, though the lease cash decreases slightly, ranging between $10,000 and $11,000 depending on the model.

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If leasing isn’t ideal, Hyundai offers two appealing financing options. Customers can opt for a 1.99% financing rate, or a 5.99% rate that includes a $5,000 bonus. Additionally, the Ioniq 9 qualifies for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit, meaning total savings could reach up to $12,500. For some buyers, this could bring the cost of financing a brand-new Ioniq 9 down to $48,000.

All versions of the Ioniq 9 come equipped with a large 110.3 kWh NMC lithium-ion battery pack. The base model gets a single 215 hp electric motor at the rear axles and has a quoted range of 335 miles or 539 km. Sitting above this model in the range is the Ioniq 9 AWD SE with 303 hp and 320 miles (515 km) of range.

Hyundai is also offering three versions of the flagship Ioniq 9 Performance, each delivering 422 horsepower and a range of 311 miles (500 km).

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Tesla Told Lease Customers Their Cars Were For Robotaxis, Then Flipped Them For Profit

  • Tesla blocked lease buyouts to reserve vehicles for a robotaxi fleet, then resold them.
  • Software upgrades inflated their resale prices, benefiting Tesla but frustrating lessees.
  • Amid falling demand for used Teslas, the company reversed its lease buyout policy.

Until recently, Tesla lease customers were left with no option to buy their cars at the end of their lease term. Why? Because Elon Musk was sure that these cars were just biding their time until they could be turned into autonomous robotaxis.

Fast forward a few years, and, surprise, the robotaxi future hasn’t materialized. So, instead of the cars joining some high-tech fleet, Tesla decided to flip them for more profit, and customers aren’t exactly thrilled about it.

More: Yes, New Car Prices Did Jump After Trump Announced Tariffs, Data Proves

In a 2019 earnings call, Musk stated, “You don’t have the option of buying. We want them back.” The “them” being the cars, of course. He went on to confidently predict that by the following year, Tesla would have “over 1 million robotaxis on the road.” The idea was that the hundreds of thousands of leased Teslas would eventually join this futuristic fleet. Tesla even told its lease customers this was the exact reason they couldn’t buy the car they’d been driving.

According to a new report from Reuters, those same cars from 2019 to 2024 ended up with upgrades. And then, Tesla put them back up for sale or sold them via auction. From a business perspective, it’s a savvy move. It costs Tesla basically nothing to upgrade these cars via software and then “jack up the price”, according to an unnamed source who spoke to the outlet.

In some cases, that meant an acceleration boost worth around $2,000. In others, it meant the addition of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) tech, which has cost some customers up to $15,000 at times, though now it’s back down to $8,000.

On the used market, these cars fetched far more than they would have if Tesla had simply let the lessees buy them at the end of their term, particularly during the Covid-induced price surge. Needless to say, customers weren’t thrilled to learn their car had been sold off without their knowledge. One particularly upset owner even called out the brand publicly.

Wow so returning a .@tesla lease is a poor experience. Poor customer service, crazy charges, lies about not being able to buy out my lease, then the car gets sold at auction not turned into a robo taxi like I was told.
Slow clap @elonmusk
Also canceled my cybertruck order.

— PixelsandPeeps (@PixelsandPeeps) May 4, 2024

A Shift In Policy

Things changed in late 2024, however. On November 27, Tesla announced that lessees would now have the freedom to buy their car at the end of their term. Why the change, especially if the automaker is closer than ever to Level 5 autonomy as it claims? Values are dropping faster than ever before. On top of that, competition is getting better, and Tesla’s public perception is struggling right now.

Allowing lessees to buy their vehicle is what most of the auto industry sees as a no-brainer since the customer is already there and connected to the car in question. Of course, this depends on the buyout price, which, in many cases, is still inflated. For instance, the buyout price for a standard Model Y AWD is a hefty $33,251 before taxes, which is higher than current market prices for three year old examples.

Still, the damage done by Tesla to its customer base might be irreparable to a degree. One customer told Reuters that “I love the car, I just don’t like what has been going on at the top with the CEO. I don’t want to be associated with that anymore.” At least Tesla’s new plan seems to be to build its own Robotaxi fleet. Whether it gets to even call it that remains up for debate.

 Tesla Told Lease Customers Their Cars Were For Robotaxis, Then Flipped Them For Profit

You Can Get A Kia EV6 GT With A $20,000 Lease Discount If You Hurry

  • The pre-facelift Kia EV6 GT pumps out 576 hp from its two electric motors.
  • Capable of a 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the EV6 GT is a very compelling option.
  • The new EV6 GT has a little more power, torque, and virtual gear shifts.

Electric vehicles are evolving so quickly that even the newest models often seem to have a shelf life shorter than your last iPhone. Kia, not one to be left behind, did a little refresh of the EV6 last year, rolling out a facelift and a new GT version. This update borrowed some nifty tech from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, just to keep things interesting. But hey, if you’re still interested in the outgoing EV6 GT, now might be your moment to snatch one up.

According to Cars Direct, a new dealer bulletin from Kia has let slip that the 2024 EV6 GT models come with a pretty sweet incentive, specifically a $20,000 lease cash rebate. But there’s a catch: you’ll need to commit to a 24-month lease to get that offer. If you’re the kind of person who wants a slightly longer commitment, you can opt for the 36-month lease, which will knock your rebate down to $18,500.

Read: Massive Depreciation Makes Kia’s EV6 GT A Steal

Before you get too excited, here’s the downer. The 2024 EV6 GT isn’t eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, and neither is the facelifted model – at least for now.

The new rebates make the 2024 EV6 GT a seriously tempting option. Originally priced at $61,600, you can likely find models in Kia’s inventory going for under $60,000 not factoring in the lease discount. However, interested shoppers had better make a decision quickly, as the incentive will only remain valid until June 2.

 You Can Get A Kia EV6 GT With A $20,000 Lease Discount If You Hurry

Something to keep in mind though is that Kia made some very important changes to the 2025 EV6 GT. For example, its battery pack has grown in size from 77 kWh to 84 kWh, and its twin electric motors allow it to deliver 641 hp and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm). It also has the same Virtual Gear Shift feature as the Ioniq 5 N and produces similar ICE-inspired sounds.

Kia is also offering some tempting lease deals on the refreshed and slightly faster 2025 EV6 GT, including $12,500 in lease cash for 24-month leases and $10,000 off 36-month leases. If you’re leaning towards the new model, these incentives could make it even more appealing, though, of course, it all depends on the money factor (interest) and the residual value (the car’s estimated worth at the end of the lease term).

Still, make no mistake, the original pre-facelift EV6 GT is pretty impressive. It can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, all while offering more interior space than some of its competitors. One downside, however, is its relatively low estimated driving range of just 218 miles (which holds up in real-world conditions), so that’s definitely something to keep in mind.

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RENEW Wisconsin 2025 Summit Honors Clean Energy Leaders

By: Alex Beld

February 4, 2025, Madison, Wis.During its 14th annual Renewable Energy Summit, RENEW Wisconsin, with presenting sponsors Invenergy and Dimension Energy, will honor individuals and businesses who have made significant and lasting advances in clean energy development in Wisconsin. The Summit will take place Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Monona Terrace in Madison.

RENEW’s 2025 Summit, titled “Powering Tomorrow: Collaborative Innovations for Thriving Communities,” will convene stakeholders from across the state to discuss the latest advancements in clean energy technologies and collaborative strategies driving the transition to a sustainable future. More than 50 speakers made up of industry leaders and experts, like keynote speaker Erica Mackie co-founder of GRID Alternatives, are joining RENEW at this year’s Summit.

The awards are grouped under five categories:

  • Clean Energy Leadership Award: Maria Redmond Advancing Wisconsin’s clean energy plan
  • Clean Energy Community Impact Award: Isaiah Ness Helping disadvantaged communities transition away from fossil fuels
  • Clean Energy Advocate of the Year: Abby Novinska-Lois Mobilizing health professionals as climate advocates
  • Clean Energy Catalyst of the Year: Doral Developing Wisconsin’s largest solar project
  • Member of the Year: Midwest Solar Power Supporting RENEW Wisconsin and increasing access to clean energy

The ceremony will conclude with the 2023 Clean Energy Honor Roll, in which RENEW will recognize 13 clean energy projects in Wisconsin that recently commenced operation. Whether on the basis of their productivity, innovativeness, attention to detail, scale, resourcefulness, or efficacy in reducing carbon emissions, these projects showcase the skills and know-how Wisconsin stakeholders bring to the clean energy marketplace.

Clean Energy Honor Roll:

  • Menominee Nation Elder Homes, Menominee Nation
    Solar and battery backup installations
  • Edgerton Retirement Apartments, Edgerton
    Solar-powered retirement apartments
  • Centro, Madison
    Solar-powered nonprofit facility
  • Kwik Charge, Ashland, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, West Salem
    DC fast-charging stations at four western Wisconsin locations
  • Grant County Solar, Potosi
    200-megawatt utility-scale solar installation with battery storage
  • Charter Steel, Saukville
    Largest behind-the-meter solar project in Wisconsin
  • Paris Solar Farm, Kenosha County
    200-megawatt utility-scale solar installation
  • The Sonnentag Events Center and Fieldhouse, Eau Claire
    Sustainable multi-use community complex
  • Dane County Humane Society Flight Pen, Madison
    50-kilowatt flight pen for birds of prey
  • Holiday Ford Building and Collision Center, Fond du Lac
    469-kilowatt solar array and EV charging station
  • Green Bay Area Public School District, Green Bay
    Solar generation on schools
  • Granite Ridge Elementary School, Cottage Grove
    Solar generation on schools
  • Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison
    Solar generation on schools
  • Nicolet High School, Glendale
    Solar generation on schools
  • Badger Hollow Solar Park, Iowa County
    300-megawatt utility-scale solar installation

The award ceremonies will be held in two parts, with the first highlighting the individual awards and the second focusing on the Clean Energy Honor Roll, in which RENEW will recognize both people and projects for their role in the clean energy transition. Whether on the basis of their productivity, innovativeness, attention to detail, scale, resourcefulness, or efficacy in reducing carbon emissions, these accomplishments highlight the skills and know-how that Wisconsin stakeholders bring to the clean energy marketplace in the Badger State.

Click here for more information on the 2025 Summit program agenda, speakers, and registration. For press passes, please email Alex Beld (abeld@renewwisconsin.org).

The post RENEW Wisconsin 2025 Summit Honors Clean Energy Leaders appeared first on RENEW Wisconsin.

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