

News
Mercedes EQS EV spied benchmarking against Tesla Model S and Model 3
Mercedes-Benz was spied testing its yet-to-be-released EQS long-range electric vehicle against Tesla’s flagship Model S, a vehicle that has arguably become the gold standard when it comes to the electric car to be benchmarked against.
Outfitted with a familiar camouflage wrap to conceal some of its exterior features, the EQS was spotted with a Tesla Model 3 and Model S in tow 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.
The Model 3 that arrived at the testing facility was not a Performance variant, as determined by the wheels, ride height, and trim of the vehicle. Tesla’s flagship sedan, the Model S, was also benchmarked against by Mercedes during the EQS testing session.
Design and Aesthetics
The EQS seen in the pictures appears to have wide and bulky body dimensions that are reminiscent of the Model S Plaid variant. Tesla’s Plaid Mode Model S was designed with a broader body and three separate motors for increased performance. Still, it also contained a rear diffuser for efficient air displacement and a rear spoiler that improved the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
The EQS in the photographs does not contain either a diffuser or a rear spoiler.
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 also says that the EQS will have digital headlamps and an all-digital front grille. A futuristic and fluid design will seamlessly integrate the body, dashboard, console, and armrests, and the luxury interior will be made from recycled materials to increase sustainability.
Performance and Other Features
Mercedes unveiled the EQS in 2019 and stated that two electric motors would give the car around 470 horsepower. The German automaker estimates that the EQS will reach 0-60 MPH in less than 4.5 seconds and that it will have 435 miles of all-electric range based on the more relaxed WLTP standard.
It will also pack a 100 kWh battery that will recharge from 0% to 80% in 20 minutes using high-power DC Fast Charging.
Mercedes also plans to use at least level 3 autonomy, but there is some indication that the German automaker may have to scrap these plans when the car is released. Mercedes and BMW had a joint partnership that was aimed toward developing self-driving technology, but it was frozen after a steep plunge in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EQS is Mercedes’ first of its all-new line of electric cars. The German automaker is doing what many other car companies in the same country are attempting to do: breakthrough Tesla’s expansive lead in EV tech by developing impressive sustainable models.
The EQS starts at $96,000 and is expected to go on sale in 2021.
- Mercedes EQS testing against a Tesla Model S at the Research and Development Center in Sindelfingen, Germany (Teslarati)
- Mercedes EQS testing against a Tesla Model S at the Research and Development Center in Sindelfingen, Germany (Teslarati)
- Mercedes EQS testing against a Tesla Model S at the Research and Development Center in Sindelfingen, Germany (Teslarati)
Elon Musk
Tesla looks to expand Robotaxi geofence once again with testing in new area
It looks as if Tesla is preparing for its next expansion of the geofence, potentially moving toward a much larger service area that could eclipse 150 square miles.

Tesla looks to be preparing for the potential expansion of the Robotaxi geofence once again, as the company was spotted testing the suite in an area well outside of the Austin service area.
After it first launched the Robotaxi platform on June 22, Tesla has managed to expand its geofence twice, essentially doubling the travel area both times.
The most recent expansion took the size of the geofence from 42 square miles to about 80 square miles, bringing new neighborhoods and regions of the city into the realm of where the driverless vehicles could take passengers.
However, it looks as if Tesla is preparing for its next expansion of the geofence, potentially moving toward a much larger service area that could eclipse 150 square miles.
Over the weekend, one fan noticed a Robotaxi validation vehicle testing in Bee Cave, Texas, which is roughly 25 minutes from the edge of the current geofence:
Tesla spotted doing Robotaxi validation testing in Bee Cave, Texas, about 15 miles west of Austin (20-25 minute drive from current edge of geofence). pic.twitter.com/JCOcoys8SJ
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 23, 2025
Tesla has been testing vehicles in the western suburbs of Austin for some time, and it seems the company is laying some groundwork to push its geofence expansion into Plaid Mode as competition with Waymo continues to be at the forefront of the conversation.
Waymo has been expanding with Tesla for some time, as the pace of expansion for the two companies has been relatively accelerated for the past couple of months.
Tesla’s expansions of the geofence sent a clear message to competitors and doubters, but it is still aiming to keep things safe and not push the envelope too quickly.
The geofence expansion is impressive, but Tesla is also focusing on expanding its vehicle fleet in both Austin and the Bay Area, where it launched a ride-hailing service in July.
Tesla Bay Area autonomous fleet to grow to over 100 units: Elon Musk
Still, safety is the priority at the current time.
“We are being very cautious. We do not want to take any chances, so we are going to go cautiously. But the service areas and the number of vehicles in operation will increase at a hyper-exponential rate,” CEO Elon Musk said during the Q2 Earnings Call.
News
Tesla considers making a big move with Model Y pricing as demand is skyrocketing
“Trending toward a need to expedite output even further, which could mean adjusting pricing upward in the coming days. Trying hard not to, will see.”

Tesla is considering making a big move with Model Y pricing as demand is skyrocketing due to the EV tax credit expiring in just over a month.
With the $7,500 EV tax credit set to be removed on September 30, Tesla is experiencing increased demand for its Model 3 and Model Y. Customers are doing whatever they can to take delivery of the car they ordered as soon as possible.
The IRS recently adjusted the EV tax credit’s rules slightly.
Previously, the vehicle had to be delivered by September 30, but a slight tweak the agency made last week will now allow customers to enter a legally binding contract along with a marginal down payment by that date. The delivery can occur after September 30, and the car can still qualify for the credit.
However, demand is getting so crazy for the Model Y that Tesla is considering a price increase on the all-electric crossover, as well as a potential boost in production output to keep up with orders.
Inventory is dwindling in several markets across the United States, a good sign for the company, as it could have one of its best quarters in recent history in terms of deliveries.
However, Tesla is thinking of bumping the price slightly, Raj Jegannathan, the company’s VP of IT, AI Infrastructure, Apps, Infosec, and Vehicle Service Operations, said on X:
Trending toward a need to expedite output even further, which could mean adjusting pricing upward in the coming days. Trying hard not to, will see.
— Raj Jegannathan (@r_jegaa) August 25, 2025
The price adjustment would come as a response to increasing production output, Jegannathan’s response seems to indicate.
The bump would help Tesla’s margins, but the idea that the company could adjust pricing by increasing it would not be popular with potential car buyers. It might encourage some buyers to put their orders in sooner, hoping to avoid a new, higher price.
However, it could also steer some buyers away from putting an order in on a vehicle, especially if the price increase is more than a few hundred dollars.
Tesla boosted the price of the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck recently, but brought in a “Luxe Package” to help justify it.
It comes with Free Full Self-Driving, Free lifetime Supercharging, four years of premium service, and lifetime Premium Connectivity.

Tesla has produced its 100,000th new Model Y at Gigafactory Berlin. The milestone was announced by the electric vehicle maker through its official Tesla Manufacturing account on social media platform X.
New Tesla Model Y milestone
The milestone was announced by Tesla on X, when the company wrote “Today, we built the 100,000th New Model Y at Giga Berlin!” The announcement was accompanied by an image of a new Model Y coming off the line.
The milestone was received warmly by members of the Tesla community, many of whom expressed excitement at the further progress of the new Model Y program at Giga Berlin. The facility, after all, only produces Model Y units, which would make it the perfect site to produce new variants like the Model Y Performance and possibly even the Model Y L, which was recently launched in China.
New Model Y ramp
As noted in a previous report from electrive, the initial production of the new Model Y started in Giga Berlin around mid-January 2025. Since the new Model Y involved a changeover from the legacy Y to the new variant, the ramp of the new Model Y’s production at the Germany-based facility was likely a gradual process over the past months.
It would then be no surprise if the next 100,000 new Model Y units would be produced in Giga Berlin in a shorter period. Giga Berlin could become an even bigger factor in Tesla’s global sales, after all, especially if it becomes the site that produces the Model Y Performance and the Model Y L for Europe and other territories. Giga Berlin, if any, seems to be quite busy recently, with aerial videos of the facility showing a fleet of mysteriously covered Model Y units being stored within the complex.
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