In primary/direct active transport, does ATP always have to be involved? Definitions seem to say the movement must be coupled with an exergonic reaction. Wouldn't the movement of a solute down its...

In primary/direct active transport, does ATP always have to be involved? Definitions seem to say the movement must be coupled with an exergonic reaction. Wouldn't the movement of a solute down its concentration gradient be exergonic, or is this an incorrect statement?