EV Daily | Lucid Adopts Tesla Port Placement for Supercharger Compatibility in Upcoming Gravity Model

【Tesla】

Peter Rawlinson, former Tesla chief engineer and current Lucid CEO, shared insights into Tesla's charge port location decision, which was influenced by Elon Musk's garage layout. Rawlinson initially preferred a front driver-side fender location for the Model S, which he has adopted for Lucid's Air. However, the upcoming Lucid Gravity will match Tesla's rear-left port to ensure Supercharger compatibility. Rawlinson appreciates Tesla's support for Lucid vehicles within its network. Elon Musk announced ambitious targets for Tesla's Optimus robots, aiming for 10,000 units in 2025, admitting it's an ambitious target. Tesla has prototypes in use, but most demos involve human-operated robots. Musk envisions Optimus dominating Tesla's future revenue, planning a production line for 1,000 monthly units, scaling to 10,000, then 100,000 monthly by next year, with sales to external customers expected to commence.

【Others】

Kia is set to launch the EV4 globally, with expectations to price it between $30,000 and $40,000. The EV5, featuring a native NACS port for Tesla Supercharger compatibility, will launch in Canada but not the US, due to factors like tax credit eligibility. Kia's EV5, priced at 149,800 yuan (approximately $20,000) in China, rivals Tesla's Model Y in size. The EV5 is pivotal for Kia, having substantially boosted its sales in China. Kia plans to release the smaller, more affordable EV2 in January 2026, targeting markets needing compact electric vehicles, especially in Europe, with prices starting from $15,000 in Korea. Cadillac launches the Optiq, an entry-level electric SUV, cheaper than its luxury counterpart, the Escalade IQ. Leasing for $489/month, the Optiq boasts a 302-mile range, 85 kWh battery, and a 33" LED screen. It's set to underpin Cadillac's global expansion, despite facing challenges from rivals like Acura's cheaper ZDX. Jeep introduces its first US electric model, the Wagoneer S. This trim includes an electric-exclusive design, closed grille, and advanced infotainment, set to join the lineup in February. Jeep also teased a rugged Trailhawk concept, designed for off-road capabilities, with features like large tires and a lifted suspension. Ford unveiled the Mustang Mach-E NASCAR prototype, featuring three electric motors and a 78 kWh battery, borrowing components from NASCAR Cup Series. The EV will compete at Pikes Peak, driven by Romain Dumas, aiming to set new records. The US EIA predicts significant renewable energy capacity additions, particularly solar, which will drive future power generation growth. Solar capacity is expected to expand by 26 GW in 2025 and 22 GW in 2026, with wind energy also seeing a modest increase. The EIA forecasts slight declines in natural gas and coal generation, with renewables continuing to gain a larger share of the energy mix. Real estate developer LeFrak installed New Jersey's largest rooftop solar array on a residential high-rise, reducing carbon emissions significantly. The project highlights solar's benefits for multi-family buildings, like saving money and reducing pollution. The installation also complements LeFrak's partnership with Envoy to offer residents access to shared EVs.