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Mercedes-Benz unveils the all-electric EQS: 478-mile range, 516 HP, 107.8 kWh battery
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its all-electric EQS luxury sedan, aiming to take over the luxury electric vehicle market by outpointing the likes of Tesla and Lucid, who also exist in the sector. While the Tesla Model S has been the main staple for those who require a touch of luxuriousness in the all-electric automobile sector, Mercedes-Benz has focused on its fancy and pretty gas-powered engines since its introduction in 1926.
The German Mercedes brand brought out the currently unpriced EQS in a lengthy and detailed press release on Thursday that outlined nearly any question one could ask. Apart from how much the vehicle will cost, Mercedes detailed everything from battery pack capacity, its WLTP-rated range, and its performance specifications, all of which are important figures for anyone interested in getting the most bang for their buck when driving a luxury vehicle. A high five-figure or low six-figure tag is expected to be introduced based on competitors in the same sector. The Model S from Tesla ranges from $79,900 to $149,990, not including incentives, while the Lucid Air ranges from $77,400 to $169,000, also not including incentives.
The EQS will come in two variants: the EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4MATIC, which will be the more performance-capable build of the vehicle. Mercedes released the following table that outlines the finer points of both of the EQS variants in its press release.
|
EQS 450+ |
EQS 580 4MATIC |
||
| Drive system layout |
Rear-wheel |
All-wheel |
|
| Electric motor(s) |
Model |
Permanently excited synchronous motor(s) (PSM) | |
| Max. powertrain output7 |
kW |
245 |
385 |
| Max. torque transmission output |
Lb-ft |
406 |
611 |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph |
s |
5.5 |
4.1 |
| Top speed8 |
Mph |
130 |
130 |
| Battery energy content, usable (WLTP) |
kWh |
107.8 |
107.8 |
| Rated voltage |
Volts |
396 |
396 |
| Energy recovery capacity, max.9 |
kW |
186 |
290 |
| On-board charger (standard/option) |
kW |
9.6 |
9.6 |
| Charging time10 at wallbox or at public charging station (AC charging, 9.6kW) |
h |
11.25 |
11.25 |
| Charging time11 at a rapid charging station (DC) |
min |
31 |
31 |
| DC charging capacity, max. |
kW |
200 |
200 |
| DC charging in 15 minutes12 (WLTP) |
km |
Up to 300 |
Up to 280 |
| Vehicle | |||
| Length/width/height (USA) |
in |
205.4/83.7/59.5 |
|
| Track front/rear |
in |
65.6/66.2 |
|
| Turning circle (with rear-axle steering 4.5°/10°) |
ft |
39/35.7 |
|
| cd value from |
0.2013 |
||
Mercedes-Benz and Daimler CEO Ola Kaellenius said the all-electric EQS is ready for the most critical and picky customers that the automaker has dealt with in its history. “The EQS is designed to exceed the expectations of even our most discerning customers. That’s exactly what a Mercedes has to do to earn the letter ‘S’ in its name. Because we don’t award that letter lightly.”
The United States’ first models of the EQS will pack 516 horsepower and 770 kilometers or 478 miles of range, according to WLTP ratings.
The EQS has been in testing for a while. Last summer, Teslarati captured images of the EQS being benchmarked against some of its most notable competitors in Germany, including the Model S. The vehicle was outfitted with a camouflage wrap that concealed many of its exterior features, running spirited laps at the Mercedes Research and Development Center in Sindelfingen, Germany. The test facility is located outside of Stuttgart, where both Mercedes and Porsche are headquartered. Its wide, bulky build was reminiscent of the Tesla Plaid Model S that was spotted initially at the Nürburgring in Germany in 2019.
While somewhat reminiscent of other Mercedes-Benz models, the EQS’ rounded edges on the quarter panels give it a sportier look than the 2021 S-Class 450 SE, which is much more squared off at the corners of the vehicle.
Mercedes EQS EV spied benchmarking against Tesla Model S and Model 3
The interior of the car fits the luxury image that Mercedes has maintained for many years. Its futuristic cockpit includes the 56-inch wide “Hyperscreen” that Mercedes unveiled in January. The MBUX Hyperscree also offers a completely new way to control interaction and entertainment, bringing apps and functions into one simple but extensive touchscreen display.
The wait is almost over: Our all-electric #EQS will have its world premiere tomorrow at 6.00 p.m. (CEST).#MercedesEQ #ProgressiveLuxury pic.twitter.com/HFs5qdaWMX
— Mercedes-Benz (@MercedesBenz) April 14, 2021
It was important for Mercedes to maintain its own standards for the EQS. Not wanting to go with a minimalistic interior that Tesla has adopted for its vehicles, the EQS includes the typical bells and whistles that vehicles have equipped for decades.
“I think giving people that very futuristic feel that you’re actually driving something different will be appealing for some buyers,” Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds.com, said to CNBC.
Mercedes’ press release regarding the EQS can be found here, it’s quite lengthy and will answer most of the questions some may have regarding the vehicle’s finer points.
News
Tesla expands its mass-market color palette in the U.S.
Delivering a fresh splash of color to its lineup, Tesla is giving U.S. buyers two stunning new blue options that are already turning heads.
Tesla has expanded the color palette it offers on its mass market vehicles in the United States, giving buyers of the Model 3 and Model Y a few additional options than before.
Delivering a fresh splash of color to its lineup, Tesla is giving U.S. buyers two stunning new blue options that are already turning heads. Starting on May 8, the automaker updated its North American configurator to introduce Marine Blue on Model Y Premium trims and Frost Blue exclusively on the Model 3 Performance.
Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Premium get Marine Blue for $1000 in the U.S.!
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/3FqMXcnmru
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) May 8, 2026
The move replaces the long-running Deep Blue Metallic, a staple for over eight years, and brings previously exclusive shades stateside.
Marine Blue, a deep, rich oceanic hue formerly limited to Europe and Asia-Pacific markets, is now available on Model 3 and Model Y RWD and Long Range AWD Premium variants. Priced at a $1,000 upgrade—standard for Tesla’s premium paints—it delivers a sophisticated, metallic finish that shifts beautifully under light.
Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Premium get Marine Blue for $1000 in the U.S.!
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/3FqMXcnmru
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) May 8, 2026
Tesla North America highlighted the change directly in an official post, confirming Marine Blue as the new flagship blue for non-Performance models.
Frost Blue, on the other hand, is the real crowd-pleaser for enthusiasts. Previously reserved for the flagship Model S and Model X, this lighter, icy metallic shade is now offered at no extra cost on Model 3 Performance and Model Y Performance trims.
Frost Blue now available on Tesla Model 3 Performance 😤 pic.twitter.com/rLOEh4pTkp
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) May 8, 2026
Performance buyers effectively get a premium color included in the base price, a smart perk that Tesla has extended to higher-end variants across the board. Early in-person sightings and configurator renders show Frost Blue’s cool, modern vibe popping against the cars’ sleek lines, especially with black wheels and red brake calipers.
The timing couldn’t be better. With Tesla pushing refreshed Model 3 and Model Y refreshes amid growing competition, these updates add visual excitement without major redesigns.
Deep Blue Metallic orders are being transitioned to the new shades, according to customer reports and Tesla communications. In the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico, the options are live now; Canada sees limited Frost Blue availability on the Model 3 Performance.
Tesla’s color strategy continues to evolve, borrowing from higher-end models to refresh mass-market EVs. Now that we bid farewell to the Model S and Model X, some of their colors might be available on the more widely available Model 3 and Model Y.
Elon Musk
Tesla Semi’s official battery capacity leaked by California regulators
A California regulatory filing just confirmed the exact battery size inside each Tesla Semi variant.
A regulatory filing published by the California Air Resources Board in April 2026 has put official numbers on what Tesla Semi owners and fleet buyers have long wanted confirmed: the exact battery capacities of both the Long Range and Standard Range Semi truck variants. CARB is California’s independent air quality regulator, and it certifies zero-emission powertrains before they can be sold or operated in the state. When a manufacturer submits a vehicle for certification, the resulting executive order becomes a public document, making it one of the most reliable sources for confirmed production specs on any EV.
The document lists two certified powertrain configurations. The Long Range Semi carries a usable battery capacity of 822 kWh, while the Standard Range version comes in at 548 kWh. Both use lithium-ion NCMA chemistry and share the same peak and steady-state motor output ratings of 800 kW and 525 kW respectively. Cross-referencing Tesla’s published efficiency figure of approximately 1.7 kWh per mile under full load, the 822 kWh pack supports roughly 480 miles of real-world range, which aligns closely with Tesla’s advertised 500-mile figure for the Long Range trim. The 548 kWh Standard Range pack works out to approximately 320 miles, again consistent with Tesla’s stated 325-mile target.
Here is a direct comparison of the two versions based on the CARB filing and published specs:
| Tesla Semi Spec | Long Range | Standard Range |
| Battery Capacity | 822 kWh | 548 kWh |
| Battery Chemistry | NCMA Li-Ion | NCMA Li-Ion |
| Peak Motor Power | 800 kW | 525 kW |
| Estimated Range | ~500 miles | ~325 miles |
| Efficiency | ~1.7 kWh/mile | ~1.7 kWh/mile |
| Est. Price | ~$290,000 | ~$260,000 |
| GVW Rating | 82,000 lbs | 82,000 lbs |
The timing of this certification is not incidental. On April 29, 2026, Semi Programme Director Dan Priestley confirmed on X that high-volume production is now ramping at Tesla’s dedicated 1.7-million-square-foot facility in Sparks, Nevada. A key advantage of the Nevada location is vertical integration: the 4680 battery cells powering the Semi are manufactured in the same complex, eliminating the supply chain bottleneck that had delayed the program for years.
Tesla’s long-term goal is to reach a production capacity of 50,000 trucks annually at the Nevada factory, which would represent roughly 20 percent of the entire North American Class 8 market. With CARB certification now in hand and the production line running, the regulatory and manufacturing groundwork for that target is in place.
Tesla became the first company to pass the United States government’s new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) testing with the Model Y, completing each of the new tests with a passing performance.
In a landmark announcement on May 7, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) declared the 2026 Tesla Model Y the first vehicle to pass its newly ADAS benchmark under the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Model Y vehicles manufactured on or after November 12, 2025, met rigorous pass/fail criteria for four newly added tests—pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, and blind spot intervention—while also satisfying the program’s original four ADAS requirements: forward collision warning, crash imminent braking, dynamic brake support, and lane departure warning.
The NHTSA has just officially announced that the 2026 @Tesla Model Y is the first vehicle model to pass the agency’s new advanced driver assistance system tests.
2026 Tesla Model Y vehicles, manufactured on or after Nov. 12, 2025, successfully met the new criteria for four… pic.twitter.com/as8x1OsSL5
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 7, 2026
NHTSA administration Jonathan Morrison hailed the achievement as a milestone:
“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in our efforts to provide consumers with the most comprehensive safety ratings ever. By successfully passing these new tests, the 2026 Tesla Model Y demonstrates the lifesaving potential of driver assistance technologies and sets a high bar for the industry. We hope to see many more manufacturers develop vehicles that can meet these requirements.”
The updates to NCAP, finalized in late 2024 and effective for 2026 models, reflect growing recognition that ADAS features are no longer optional luxuries but essential tools for preventing crashes.
Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, for instance, targets one of the fastest-rising causes of roadway fatalities, while blind spot intervention and lane keeping assistance address common sources of side-swipes and run-off-road incidents. By incorporating objective, performance-based evaluations rather than mere presence of the technology, NHTSA aims to give buyers clearer data on real-world effectiveness.
This milestone arrives at a pivotal moment when vehicle autonomy is transitioning from science fiction to everyday reality.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and the impending rollout of robotaxis underscore a broader industry shift toward higher levels of automation. Yet regulators and consumers remain cautious: safety data must keep pace with technological ambition.
The Model Y’s perfect score on these ADAS benchmarks validates that current driver-assist systems—when engineered rigorously—can dramatically reduce human error, which still accounts for the vast majority of crashes.
For Tesla, the result reinforces its long-standing claim of building the safest vehicles on the road. More importantly, it signals to the entire auto sector that meeting elevated federal standards is achievable and expected.
As autonomy edges closer to Level 3 and beyond, where drivers may disengage more fully, such independent verification becomes critical. It builds public trust, informs purchasing decisions, and accelerates the development of systems that could one day eliminate tens of thousands of annual traffic deaths.
In an era when software-defined vehicles promise transformative mobility, the 2026 Model Y’s NHTSA triumph is more than a manufacturer accolade—it is a regulatory green light that autonomy’s future must be built on proven, testable safety foundations. The bar has been raised. The industry, and the roads we share, will be safer for it.
Tesla expands its mass-market color palette in the U.S.
Tesla Semi’s official battery capacity leaked by California regulators
