Kia to Build 2024 EV9 SUV in US to Qualify for Federal Tax Credit
NEW YORK—Kia's EV9 SUV landed stateside this week with a New York International Auto Show sneak peek, though it won't arrive at dealers until Q4, with "extremely limited inventory" at first.
Pricing was not announced, but to qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, electric SUVs must be under $80,000. The Rivian R1S, one of the only other 7-seat EVs on the market, starts at $78,000, well above the $35,890 Kia charges for its other 3-row SUV, the gas-powered Telluride.
The South Korea-based automaker will manufacture the EV9 in an existing Kia plant(Opens in a new window) in West Point, Georgia, as domestic assembly is one of several requirements to qualify for the tax credit. Kia's first two EVs, the Niro EV and EV6, do not qualify since they are manufactured abroad. The West Point facility already produces the Telluride SUV, Sorento SUV, and the K5 midsize sedan.
On April 17, the IRS will publish a new list of vehicles that qualify for the credit before strict battery sourcing requirements take effect on April 18. That will confirm if the EV9 makes the cut and how much buyers stand to gain. (Not all vehicles will achieve the full $7,500 unless a certain percentage of their battery minerals and components are also sourced domestically.)
The EV9 is slightly longer than the Telluride with a more premium cabin. It seats up to seven passengers, and the second row swivels to face the third row for passengers to interact while the vehicle charges. Up front, a dual display cockpit receives over-the-air updates to equip the vehicle with the latest software.
"Every seat inside the EV9 is considered executive-class," Kia says. "First and second passenger row occupants are treated to an available 'Relaxation Mode,' which
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