News
Mercedes-Benz EQE pricing revealed for U.S.
Update 6:05 PM EST: Mercedes-Benz contacted Teslarati to correct pricing for the Pinnacle trim of all 3 EQE configurations. An earlier release from MB listed incorrect pricing.
Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for the upcoming Alabama-built EQE SUV, the automaker’s second fully-electric sport utility vehicle following the EQS. Starting at $77,900, the EQE is expected to arrive at Mercedes dealers in the Spring.
The EQE lineup will feature three configurations: the EQE 350+ SUV, EQE 350 4MATIC SUV, and EQE 500 4MATIC SUV. All models will be offered in Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle trim levels in the United States, and for the first time, the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system with torque shift will be offered at the same starting price as the base level EQE 350+ SUV, giving more value for customers in Mercedes’ highest volume model.
Specifications and Features
Mercedes-Benz wanted to keep the sporty yet luxurious feel of its vehicles, and that continues with the EQE SUV, which started production in August 2022. Wheels will vary in size from 19 to 21 inches and are positioned flush with the outer edge of the body, the company said. This is in an effort to improve aerodynamics within its model family.
Aerodynamics didn’t stop there, either. Mercedes-Benz crafted an underbody with numerous aerodynamic details that help complement the drag coefficient to support better range ratings and try to eliminate overall range loss as much as possible.
More range support features were added to the EQE, including the addition of a heat pump, which has become an obvious option for many EV makers after Tesla included one in the Model Y several years ago, and an intelligent powertrain management system.
Tesla highlights Model Y’s heat pump innovations in new promotional video
The heat pump works in parallel to Tesla’s by utilizing heat from the inverter and electric motor and the high-voltage battery system to heat the vehicle interior. Along with that, the intelligent powertrain management system:
“The second innovation is an all-new intelligent powertrain management system that monitors at 160 times per second, if the front electric motor is necessary. If not, a clutch disconnects or re-engages the front motor in 100 milliseconds. The decoupling of the front drive unit reduces drag and improves range.”
Along with improvements internally to support range and aerodynamics, Mercedes-Benz has included a new Automatic Lane Change Feature, making the EQE the first model in the EVA2 family to have this feature with the optional Driver Assistance Package. It is available in the top two trim levels and can automatically initiate lane changes or pass slower vehicles without driver intervention.
The interior features the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.8″ OLED multimedia touchscreen portrait display and a 12.3″ driver display.
While each trim has its own strengths, all three have EQ-specific innovative technologies but will have plenty of leeway with an array of additional options that will allow for further personalization and customization.
The vehicle will be built at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and a battery factory in nearby Bibb County will supply batteries for both the EQE and EQS.
Premium Trim:
- EQE 350+ SUV – $77,900
- EQE 350 4MATIC SUV – $77,900
- EQE 500 4MATIC SUV – $89,500
Highlights for Premium Trim include:
- MBUX EQ Navigation Services, including Navigation with Electric Intelligence
- Parking Package with Surround View System and PARKTRONIC
- Heated Front Seats
- MB-Tex Upholstery
- Power Tilt and Sliding Panorama Roof
- Burmester® Sound System
- Keyless-Go Comfort Package
- 64-Color Ambient Lighting EQE
500 4MATIC Additional Standard Equipment:
- AMG Line Exterior
- 20″ Wheels
- Leather Upholstery
- 10-Degree Rear Axle Steering
Exclusive Trim:
- EQE 350+ SUV – $80,000
- EQE 350 4MATIC SUV – $80,000
- EQE 500 4MATIC SUV – $91,600
Highlights for Exclusive Trim Include:
- All features of Premium Trim
- MBUX Augmented Reality for Navigation
- Active Ambient Light
- Driver Assistance Package including all-new Automatic Lane Change function
Pinnacle Trim:
- EQE 350+ SUV – $83,850
- EQE 350 4MATIC SUV – $83,850
- EQE 500 4MATIC SUV – $95,450
Highlights for Pinnacle Trim Include:
- All features of Premium and Exclusive Trims
- Four-Zone Climate Control
- Air Balance Package
- Energizing Comfort
- Head-Up Display
- 100W USB-C Package
- DIGITAL LIGHT Package
- Mercedes Star Pattern Logo Projectors (Front Doors)
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News
Autonomous vehicle red tape gets slashed by Trump Administration
The Trump Administration today made several key moves to help with the deployment of autonomous vehicles by cutting overreaching red tape that has stifled growth and innovation for years.
The moves, which were put forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aim to grant temporary exemptions to at least one company currently, although that could expand in the coming months. Additionally, it will work with organizations to develop standards and a sound but efficient regulatory landscape.
Zoox is the only company mentioned explicitly by the Trump Administration in its press release announcing the new terms today. They will receive a temporary two-year exemption that will allow the commercial deployment of up to 2,500 vehicles annually for two years.
There is a potential exemption for Robomart, Inc., which “requests a temporary exemption from certain FMVSS No. 500 requirements for a low-speed vehicle operated by an ADS without a human driver onboard. NHTSA will publish a separate notice seeking public comment on its merits once the initial evaluation is complete,” the agency said.
Here are the five new terms that Secretary Sean Duffy has implemented through the NHTSA today:
- Allow Zoox to commercially deploy its robotaxis through a temporary exemption.
This temporary exemption will allow the commercial deployment of up to 2,500 vehicles annually for two years, subject to an enhanced, adaptable oversight structure that can evolve as Zoox’s technology advances. - Accelerate development of first-ever AV performance standards through a partnership with SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (ITC).
This partnership will fund a three-year, $5 million “A2SCEND” consortium, bringing together experts to gather data and accelerate creation of the first-ever AV performance standards. This project will inform a single national standard for AV safety to eliminate the patchwork regulatory landscape that has stifled innovation for years. - Publish an interim final rule that allows vehicles manufactured prior to an exemption to be eligible for a commercial deployment exemption.
This rule will modernize the application process and improve access to exemptions for innovators, including AV developers, by granting the NHTSA Administrator the discretion to apply temporary exemptions to vehicles manufactured prior to the effective date of an exemption grant. - Streamline the application process for Part 555 exemptions by updating guidance and soliciting feedback from the public.
By updating the Part 555 exemption process—which allows automakers to temporarily sell a limited number of non-compliant vehicles, primarily to test new technologies—NHTSA is aiming to create a more flexible oversight structure for exemptions and summarize recent AV framework activities, including expanded exemption pathways, streamlined crash reporting, and ongoing efforts to modernize Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). - Establish a new Federal Docket for public feedback on NHTSA’s updated safe AV development and deployment guidance.
NHTSA is updating its technical guidance for AVs for the first time since 2017—focusing on key safety areas like emergency responder interactions, safety management systems, remote assistance, and post-crash behavior to help the industry scale up driverless deployments safely.
Additionally, the NHTSA said it has modernized some safety standards by proposing updates to:
- FMVSS 102 – Transmission shifting
- FMVSS 103/104 – Windshield defrosting and wiping
- FMVSS 110 – Tire placards
- FMVSS 135 – Braking systems
- FMVSS 101 – Controls and displays
- FMVSS 108 – Vehicle lighting
- FMVSS 111 – Mirrors and rearview display
- FMVSS 126 – Electronic stability control systems
- FMVSS 201/208 – Sun visors and warning labels
These changes aim to make the regulatory process for autonomous vehicles more streamlined and efficient, which could help the U.S. gain dominance over autonomous vehicle systems moving forward.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk has a crazy prediction about AI in two years
Elon Musk is, in many respects, one of the biggest and most influential figures in modern-day artificial intelligence.
Given that Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI are all looked at in their respective fields as leaders to an extent, each of them has a heavy influence on the future of AI, even though two of them are not thought of, at face value, as AI companies.
Musk has grand expectations for what is to come with AI, not only as a form of assistance to make human lives easier, but to make humans multiplanetary and solve some of the biggest issues that face us today. But even he is astounded by AI’s pace of progress.
He believes that in two years, AI will be so mind-blowing it might be unrecognizable.
Given that AI from 2 years ago feels so old that it should be in a museum, then obviously AI 2 years from now will be mind-blowing https://t.co/TcsKZ8o8OE
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 30, 2026
This progress can be seen in a variety of ways, but perhaps the most popular way people have shown AI’s progress, especially on social media, is through an incredibly arbitrary way of watching Will Smith eat spaghetti:
The progression in AI of Will Smith eating spaghetti (2023 – 2026) pic.twitter.com/VDv82mB5gs
— internet hall of fame (@InternetH0F) February 10, 2026
This is a great way to show people how AI is improving, especially from a perspective that examines how it can manufacture images and video from prompts. AI is an incredibly complex concept, however, and it goes much deeper than Will Smith eating Italian food.
Musk’s most widely adopted method of AI is likely Tesla Full Self-Driving, which impacts millions of people as they utilize it to increase safety with their travel. Musk has routinely pushed incredibly aggressive timelines for self-driving, especially unsupervised.
Perhaps this perspective is why he feels that things will be solved in a timeframe that is much more aggressive than most of us would think. Regardless, the progress of AI is moving fast, and it seems that Musk’s expectations for it could be high.
But if it can actually achieve full-length motion pictures and even more realistic production value, it will be hard to distinguish between reality and AI very soon.
News
Tesla just built it 10 millionth car
Tesla just officially confirmed it has built its 10 millionth car, a major milestone for the company that started producing sustainable electric powertrains less than two decades ago.
In that time, Tesla has truly revolutionized the automotive industry, disrupting the idea of what a car should be, how it should be fueled, and how it truly impacts day-to-day life.
10 million vehicles produced globally.
Congrats to all Tesla teams! pic.twitter.com/JkcraR63bs— Tesla Manufacturing (@gigafactories) July 30, 2026
Tesla achieved this feat across four production facilities: the Fremont Factory in Fremont, California, Gigafactory Shanghai in China, Gigafactory Berlin in Germany, and Gigafactory Texas in Austin, Texas.
The 10 millionth vehicle was a Diamond Black Model Y.
Over the course of the past roughly 18 years, Tesla has evolved its lineup from a sporty sedan built on a Lotus body to a lineup of various body styles, performance metrics, and other characteristics that make each one unique.
This is an incredible achievement for a company that is young compared to what it goes up against. When Tesla entered the automotive market, Ford, GM, and Stellantis widely dominated the playing field. Since then, Tesla has caused such a disruption that these three massive brands had to scramble to create EV projects of their own.
Despite their best efforts, they have not been able to match the prowess or the effectiveness of Tesla. They are all reliant on Tesla’s charging infrastructure, their software is inferior, and their self-driving projects are elementary in comparison.
Tesla felt its fair share of growing pains over the years as well. As recent at 2019, there were complaints about build quality, paint quality, and overall luxuriousness. These things have all been improved upon through the company’s maturity, and these strides in quality have led to this 10 million vehicle production achievement, something that other small-and-scrappy EV makers will hope to accomplish one day.

