Mercedes-Maybach unveils first all-electric model in the EQS 680 SUV, complete with its own fridge

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2023

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Today, Mercedes-Maybach has unveiled the ultra-lux EQS 680 SUV – a souped-up version of the existing Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV that “combines technical perfection with Maybach exclusivity.” Aside from having more Maybach logos than we’ve ever seen integrated into a single-vehicle design, the all-electric Mercedes SUV has some truly unique, forward-thinking features, both inside and out, that you’ve got to see.

Maybach finally brings an electric to market

Mercedes-Maybach is a current sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz whose history in autos dates all the way back to the early 1900s. Through its evolution over the last century-plus, the Maybach name is one currently associated with the utmost luxury and unique design features only the most affluent of customers can unlock.

The sub-brand has gained popularity through its upscale version of the Mercedes S-Class and a couple of other combustion models but has been flirting with the idea of luxury electric vehicles since 2016. That began with the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 – a 2+2 electric coupé concept with 200 miles of range. Maybach followed up with an electric SUV concept in 2018 called the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury.

Parent company Mercedes Group has done a decent job in embracing electrification so far and is rolling out an ever-growing lineup of EQ brand EVs, including the EQE SUV we recently drove in Portugal. During that time abroad, we also got our first peek behind the curtain at the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV – which was recently teased ahead of its official public debut today.

There’s a lot to explore here, so let’s start with some images and break down what makes this luxury electric Maybach truly special.

EQS SUV arrives as the first electric Mercedes-Maybach

If you’ve read about our drives in the Mercedes EQS or EQE SUVs or have experienced the tech yourself, you’re likely aware that the legacy automaker is delivering some of the best EVs in the business right now, especially in terms of their interior cockpits and passenger accommodations.

With the EQS 680, Maybach has taken Mercedes-Benz’s electric SUV architecture and taken it to another echelon inside and out. Per Ola Källenius, chair of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz Group:

Mercedes-Maybach customers expect the extraordinary, and we aim to exceed their high expectations. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV unites our ambition to lead in digital and electric with our focus on the luxury segment. The very first all-electric vehicle from Mercedes-Maybach complements the best technologies from Mercedes-Benz with the extra comfort and individual details that are only available from Mercedes-Maybach.

Beginning with the exterior, you’ll notice the recognizable star hood ornament, which has been placed upright like previous combustion Mercedes models. The automaker’s EQ line has abandoned the upright ornament for the sake of aerodynamics, so this is more a nod to previous luxury designs synonymous with the Maybach name.

Moving down the hood, you’ll spy a unique radiator grille that is really more for show than function. As a result, the front end looks more like a traditional Mercedes-Maybach but with a closed-design twist for an all-electric age.

The chrome running down the grille compliments plenty of shiny trim around the SUV’s exterior, from its pillars to its handles, along its running boards, and even around the side bumper where dozens of not-so-discreet Maybach emblems can be found. When approaching the electric SUV, the driver gets their own special light show (seen above), which is complemented by an animated pattern of the Maybach emblem projected from all four doors (see below).

We tried to tally how many Maybach emblems were integrated into this electric SUV but lost count well into the thirties. There are A LOT. Also, viewing the exterior, you’ll notice the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV includes exclusive two-tone paint with an ornamental pinstripe. The designers’ shared exteriors will come in five different color combinations or can be one solid color if requested.

I made a comment about all the chrome, and one of the designers told me that Maybach was exploring a blacked-out version of the EQS 680 SUV to please younger consumers who may find all the chrome a little gaudy. No further comments from the millennial writer…

The exterior of the EQS 680 is certainly unique, but you truly don’t grasp that this electric SUV is a Maybach until you get inside. Check it out.

The interior of the EQS 680 is where Maybach truly shines

Given the two-tone paint and the decision to integrate chrome trim, the exterior of the freshly debuted electric Mercedes-Maybach SUV may not be for everyone. The interior, however, might be. Like much of the SUV’s design as a whole, Maybach has taken Mercedes’ existing technology and upgraded it.

For example, the standard MBUX Hyperscreen is present in the EV’s cockpit but has been integrated with Mercedes-Maybach-specific start-up animations on all three digital displays, in addition to an overall deep blue visual theme unique to this model. The electric SUV also has its own “Maybach” display style in addition to “understated” and “sport.”

Rear passengers each have their own 11.6-inch displays on the front seat backrests in addition to an MBUX rear tablet that can be used outside the EV. Maybach offers three different options of sustainably processed Nappa Leather tanned using vegetables throughout the interior, including the rear reclining seats that include massaging functions and a “feel-good atmosphere and cocooning effect for all senses.”

Part of that immersive experience includes Dolby Atmos sound throughout the cabin, which is a huge selling point, in my opinion. The system consists of 15 different speakers, including two 3D speakers in the headliner. The Maybach team demoed jungle sounds for us, and it genuinely felt like we were in a movie theater. To give it the true test, however, we had to blast “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, followed, of course, by “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan. The sound quality was unreal, and you could hear the vibrations from outside the SUV, just like a theater. I could have sat there for hours, vibing.

Moving on, as you’ll notice from the images above, the floating front center console, complete with wooden trim, flows back around the front seat backs and up through the rear console. That rear design also houses what else but silver-plated champagne flutes and access to a trunk fridge.

The fridge takes up a lot of space in the trunk, but the Maybach team demonstrated how easily it can be removed and stored using one hand. I’m not sure where you would keep your EV’s refrigerator when you’re not using it, but I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that issue any time soon.

Last but not least, Mercedes-Maybach has also improved the performance of the electric SUV for the new 680 version. Here are some of the specs future owners can expect to see standard on the EV:

EQS 680 SUV
Drive configuration	4MATIC AWD
Powertrain	Dual motor
Output	484 kW (649 hp)
Torque	700 ft-lb
Acceleration (0-60 mph)	4.1 seconds
Top speed	130 mph
Range (provisional WLTP)	up to 600 km (373 miles)
Onboard charger	9.6 kW
AC Charge time (0-100%)	12.75 hours
DC fast charging max	200 kW
DC charging (10-80%)	31 minutes
Range after 15 mins DCFC	up to 220 km (137 mi) (WLTP)
Length / width (w/o mirrors) / height	201.7″ / 80.1″ / 67.9″
Wheelbase	126.4”
Turning radius (rear-axle steering 10°)	36.1″
Cargo capacity	15.3 cubic-feet
Combined power consumption (provisional values)	24.4-22.5 kWh/100 km

One minor detail Mercedes-Maybach has failed to mention in regard to its ultra-lux electric SUV is pricing. Given some of its top-tier design features, we’d imagine this one is going to cost quite a bit, but we haven’t gotten those official numbers yet.

A representative for Mercedes-Benz told us pricing will be reveal closer to the launch of the electric Maybach this coming fall.

Whether you’re a fan or not, the Maybach EQS 680 SUV is certainly something to see. Be sure to check out a closer look in the video below.

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It’s time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives [update]

Published

14 hours ago

July 26, 2025

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It's time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives [update]

Great batteries that aren't the Tesla Powerwall

For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to recommendation for “normals” looking for a painless, low-effort experience from their first home solar and battery backup solutions. Its CEO’s recent involvement in controversial politics, however, means that people are now distancing themselves from the once-trailblazing company.

It begs the question: what other home solar battery solutions are there?

UPDATE 26JUL2025: added more options, put everything in alphabetical order.

Electricians and contractors often praise the sleek, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall, for good reasons. But the Powerwall isn’t the only top-shelf home battery on the market, but long wait times, Elon’s antics, and the proliferation of really good integrated alternatives from legacy EV brands might have you shopping for Tesla alternatives already. If that’s you, the next logical step is to re-think the brand’s solar battery offerings as well – here are some of the best options out there.

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As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best batteries ..?” Too opinion-based. “Cheapest batteries ..?” Too much research and a quick descent into Temu-grade nonsense. In the end, I went with the same solution I’ve been using on my 0% EV financing lists: alphabetical order, by brand. Enjoy!

Bluetti EP800 + B500

Bluetti EP800 install photo; via Bluetti.

If you’re in a smaller space or renting and can’t (or don’t want to) add a hardwired battery solution to your home, Bluetti’s EP800 + B500 modular system is a sweet “middle ground” option that combines the Bluetti EP800 off-grid inverter and the company’s B500 battery packs in a floor-standing unit that can be used without a solar roof but also plays well with most rooftop PV options.

The basic EP800 + B500 package offers about 9.9 kWh of capacity for under $9,000 as I type this, and the system can scale up to nearly 20 kWh by adding more B500 packs. The system puts out 7.6 kW of power – more than enough, in other words, to keep some lights on and your fridge and foods (and meds) cold.

What’s more, it works great with Bluetti’s AC300 or AC500 gear if you want an option that’s a bit more portable if you move a lot or plan on moving soon.

EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro

Two of the home solar installers I talked to in preparing this post mentioned the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, at least) compare nicely with the Powerwall 3.

Battery	Usable capacity (kWh)	Continuous power output (kW)	Roundtrip efficiency	Average price per kWh*	Coupling
Tesla Powerwall 3	13.5	11.5	97.5%	$926	DC or AC
EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro	11.44	10.24	99%	$786	DC

“The EG4 PowerPro solar battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest alternative to the Tesla Powerwall,” writes Kristina Zagame, from the home solar experts at EnergySage. “(The EG4) has a similar capacity, meaning it’ll last a similar amount of time, and a slightly lower power output, which means it won’t be able to power quite as many devices at the same time. And, based on quotes through EnergySage, EG4 batteries tend to be a bit more affordable compared to Tesla.”

Enphase IQ Battery 10

If you’re looking for a one-brand solution for EV charging and whole-home battery backup but don’t want to be “locked in” to GM or Tesla’s ecosystem, Enphase offers a full line of Made-in-the-USA solutions that could be right for you.

“Energy systems developer Enphase Energy is providing an even more holistic approach to managing home power usage with the introduction of new EV charger technology called the IQ line,” wrote Scooter doll, when the brand first introduced its EV charging solutions back in 2023. “The Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly into a customer’s existing home system that can be controlled with your phone.”

Franklin WH aPower 2

Franklin aPower2 home battery; via Franklin WH.

If you love the sleek, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 but still prefer to spend your money elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 offers similarly sleek styling and beats the Tesla offering on usable energy storage capacity by 1.5 kWh. That’s nearly a full day of keeping a modern refrigerator running.

The Franklin is also designed to be easily retrofit into an existing solar system, but it loses out to the Powerwall on price per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).

GM Energy Home System

Arguably the most fully integrated EV + battery backup + solar option out there outside of Tesla, the GM Energy Home System promises to do everything a conventional home solar battery does, plus work seamlessly with your GM EV to provide even more flexibility – whether that means using the electric fuel stored in your EV to hold out that much longer in an emergency, or using the energy stored in your home’s solar battery to power an escape in your EV is up to you.

GM Energy and GM’s car dealers list Qmerit as their installation partner, and they’re great, but if you “already have a guy,” you can order the Home System directly from GM Energy’s website for $12,700 (as I type this).

The GM Energy Home System system includes:

GM Energy PowerBank
GM Energy PowerShift Charger
GM Energy Home Hub & Inverter

StorEn vanadium flow BESS

StorEn Vanadium Flow Batteries — Vanadium flow batteries; via StorEn Technologies.

If lithium-ion’s ten-year cycle life or overhyped fire risk makes you nervous, StorEn Technologies is developing a consumer-focused battery solution based on vanadium flow chemistry. Their system promises to last 25 years or more with no capacity loss, so you can charge and drain the battery fully each day and without stressing about wear … but there are a couple of downsides.

First, they’re not yet available to the general public – only to StorEn’s early investors in (what I understand to be) a sort of quasi-Kickstarter deal.

Second, the StorEn batteries are significantly bulkier than a Powerwall. That said, if you’ve got the room and you’re old enough to realize that 25 years isn’t actually a super long time, the StorEn solution might to be a super compelling, nearly maintenance-free setup that might outlast both your solar panels and the roof they’re mounted on.

So, remember how I started this off saying that I wouldn’t turn this into a “best batteries” post? That’s partly driven by the fact that I’m neither an electrician, a chemical engineer, or someone who’s researched thousands of end-user experience surveys to come up with whatever metrics I’d need to confidently and correctly call one battery “the best.”

Our friends and solar industry experts at EnergySage, though? They’ve got all three of those things on staff, and they really, really like the Villara VillaGrid+.

“The Villara VillaGrid+ stands out as the best battery on the market, scoring highest in EnergySage’s rigorous Equipment Rating System, explains EnergySage’s Kristina Zagame. “That said, (the Villara VillaGrid+) is not necessarily the best Tesla Powerwall alternative. It’s a very different (and much pricier) battery.”

What puts the VillaGrid+ on top? According to Zagame, it all comes down to the battery’s lithium-titanium-oxide, or LTO chemistry. “Unlike more traditional lithium-ion batteries, LTO has better recharge capabilities for longer life cycles, and doesn’t contain any carbon, which makes it extra safe. The only downside is you’ll definitely shell out more money upfront for the VillaGrid+.”

That extra money will also buy some additional peace of mind, as Villara backs its LTO batteries with a 20-year warranty compared to Tesla Powerwall and its (and just about everyone else’s) 10-year deal. I couldn’t find a price, but Villara’s other products, like VillaGrid 5.75 kWh battery, come in at nearly double Powerwall’s per kWh cost. Check out the specs, below, then let us know if you think the novel chemistry and additional warranty are worth it in the comments.

Battery	Usable capacity (kWh)	Continuous power output (kW)	Roundtrip efficiency	Average price per kWh*	Coupling
Tesla Powerwall 3	13.5	11.5	97.5%	$926	DC or AC
Villara VillaGrid+	11.5	10	98.5%	Get quote	DC or AC

Original content from Electrek.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

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Environment

Vertical Aerospace completes first ever public airport-to-airport eVTOL flight

Published

16 hours ago

July 26, 2025

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Vertical Aerospace completes first ever public airport-to-airport eVTOL flight

Vertical Aerospace eVTOL completes historic airport-to-airport flight

Air taxi startup Vertical Aerospace achieved a world’s first this week, completing the first flight between two airports through public airspace for an eVTOL at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England.

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world’s largest military airshow, held every July and serving as a public showcase for the latest advancements in aviation technology. It’s fitting, then, that RIAT served as setting for the Vertical VX4 prototype’s first piloted public flight.

The eVTOL aircraft flew 17 miles from the company’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station used by the US Air Force. The Vertical VX4 reached speeds of 115 mph, and an altitude of 1800 ft, and also marked the first landing at a public location for an aircraft of this type.

The Vertical Aerospace entry was the only battery-electric aircraft present at RIAT 2025, and the flight served as a demonstration of the company’s broader strategy to unlock new hybrid-electric applications for defense, logistics, and special/close support missions where the eVTOL’s (relatively) quiet operations could give it a tactical advantage.

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“RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support the future of defense,” says Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”

Vertical’s VX4 debuted last year, with a 20% increase in the power-to-weight ratio that enables a top cruising speed of 150 mph and transports four passengers plus a pilot up to 100 miles on a single charge.

The inaugural VX4 flight was witnessed by several thousand UK aircraft enthusiasts, and showed how an eVTOL aircraft could integrate with real-world airport operations, building momentum toward more regular, certified deployment.

Electrek’s Take

Archer, BETA, EHang, Joby, XPeng – the list of eVTOL manufacturers seems to be as long as the list of new electric car brands that didn’t exist back when I first started working with EVs back in ::gulp:: the 1990s. The future of regional point-to-point air travel certainly seems to be vertical, and electric.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Vertical Aerospace.

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Environment

Honda takes a page from Tesla playbook, launches new insurance business

Published

19 hours ago

July 26, 2025

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Honda takes a page from Tesla playbook, launches new insurance business

Honda launches in-house insurance agency for U.S. drivers

Say what you will about Elon Musk, but Tesla has changed the way that millions of people buy cars and, by extension, car insurance. Now, Honda is taking a page from Tesla’s successful playbook and launching its own in-house insurance business. Enter: Honda Insurance Solutions.

Honda Insurance Solutions is being launched as a fully licensed insurance agency serving the insurance needs of Acura and Honda customers, but it’s not stopping at competitive pricing and coverage options for Honda cars and motorcycles. Honda Insurance Solutions promises to go several steps beyond Tesla’s offering with coverage for trailers, RVs, homes, and even pets.

“Honda Insurance Solutions offers customers access to coverage through a brand they know and trust,” says Petar Vucurevic, President, American Honda Insurance Solutions, LLC and Senior Vice President, American Honda Finance Corporation. “Insurance is a key touchpoint in the vehicle ownership journey, and we aim to deliver a superior experience tailored to the unique needs of each customer, while promoting safer driving and increased peace of mind on the road.”

The company says the launch of its new insurance business is just part of Honda’s broader digital vehicle sales platform strategy, with future plans to integrate insurance offerings into new products.

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Electrek’s Take

It’s important to note some of the key differences between Honda’s insurance offering and Tesla’s. Honda isn’t offering discounts, they’re not bundling insurance premiums into the vehicle financing, and they’re not building their insurance offerings into their dealerships’ checkout/F&I offices. Not yet, anyway.

What Honda is doing right now is deepening relationships with its existing customers and finding ways to make money on products it hasn’t sold them – whether that’s the Harley parked in the garage next to their Prologue or the garage itself.

It’s a smart play. And, once Honda figures out a way to cut franchise dealers out entirely and go to a direct sales model, it’ll look even smarter.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Honda.

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