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AMG EQE SUV

Mercedes-AMG has officially launched its third EV model and first all-electric performance SUV with the EQE. I previously tested out the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, so you know I had to take the AMG version out for a spin to see how it compares. Here are my thoughts.

The AMG EQE SUV was announced alongside the debut of its standard Mercedes-Benz version back in October of 2022. At the time, we learned the AMG version would arrive with less range compared to the EQE SUV (more on that later), but with higher performance.

This includes new air suspension, steering, and stabilization technology, as well as unique aesthetic design features inside and out. By March, we learned pricing of the American-made EQE SUV, which could qualify for federal tax credits at its most basic configuration.

That will not be the case for the AMG EQE SUV as it arrives with bolstered performance and advanced features. This past spring, I got the chance to be one of the first to drive the EQE SUV in Portugal and was a big fan, so it was a no-brainer when Mercedes asked me to visit Southern California and experience the AMG version. Here are some images from my drive.

The AMG EQE SUV looks and plays the sportier role

The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV not only arrives as a profound demonstration in initialisms, but as the dual-motor, performance version of a mid-size SUV that has yet to make its own impact on the US market. The dynamic 4MATIC+ AWD experience synonymous with the AMG name stems from the EQE SUV’s synchronous motors, which combine for up to 677 hp and 738 Nm of torque (in RACE START mode).

Unique features implemented on the first electric performance SUV include front and rear AMG Ride Control+ air suspension, an adaptive damping system, and Active Ride Control roll stabilization. The AMG EQE SUV also features Mercedes’s unique MBUX curved Hyperscreen, where the passengers can control six different driving characteristics, via the following AMG Dynamic Select programs that control the suspension setup:

Drive Program AMG EQE SUV Output Level
Slippery 50% (308 hp)
Comfort 80% (493 hp)
Sport 90% (555 hp)
Sport+ 100% (617 hp)
RACE START without Boost function 100% (617 hp)
RACE START with Boost function
(AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package req.)		 110% (677 hp)

The AMG SUV is slightly longer and taller than the standard Mercedes-Benz version, but not enough that that you’d even notice. As you can see in the images above, the exterior features AMG’s unique black panel radiator grille with vertical chrome struts to match the other two performance EQ models, as well as a brand-specific emblem on the hood instead of the three-point star.

When you open and close the vehicle, the SUV’s Digital Light headlamps feature an AMG-specific projection, but it was tough to see and film during the day. There are also plenty of unique details in the AMG EQE SUV’s interior, starting with the images I snapped below.

An AMG interior that is more sporty than luxurious

As you may have noticed, the MB-Tex microfiber textiles throughout the interior are a far cry from the bright white leathers I experienced in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV earlier this year. The seat patterns, red seatbelts, and topstitching are all AMG-specific elements. I personally would have preferred the original leather as I found the microfiber a bit warm in the California weather, and the fabric does not allow for one of my favorite features while test driving – air-conditioned seats.

The steering wheel features of the only leather inside the SUV, complimenting a flattened wheel bottom, perforated grip areas, and silver aluminum paddles for adjusting regenerative braking levels. As you’ll see below, the AMG steering also features digital buttons that control the aforementioned drive programs.

AMG EQE SUV

Other unique interior features for the AMG version include unique displays in the instrument cluster and quick access to Dynamic Select in the center console (see display images above). The AMG EQE SUV also features Dolby Atmos sound, offering a 360-degree listening experience (as long as the song you’re listening to is compatible).

Aesthetics are one thing, but how does the AMG drive compare standard EQE SUV. Well, let me tell you.

AMG EQE SUV performs better, but is it worth the money?

Obviously the answer is subjective depending on your driving and performance preferences as well as the all-important factor of budget, but for me personally I’m not so sure. My drive day with the AMG EQE SUV was a fun one, but not a particularly memorable one.

Sure, the AMG definitely delivers better performance than the standard EQE SUV, but that’s a relatively low bar in terms of EV specs – and the gap isn’t as wide as I originally expected. The AMG-specific dual motors provide significantly more hp (617-677 vs. 288-402 hp), and the splitting of the roll bar from front to back allows the system to be connected and torsioned together for more sportiness, but this remains a heavy, lumbering EV in my opinion nonetheless.

Sport and Sport+ were absolutely dynamic and fun to experience, but I took a couple of turns a little too quickly and admittedly puckered up for a second – you definitely feel the weight of the Mercedes-Benz EVA platform, even with its “AMG treatment.”

The ride itself was smooth, although I found the regenerative braking in the AMG version jolty and annoying at times, depending upon which drive program I was in. It felt as if it wanted to be one pedal driving, but couldn’t make its mind up. This was a different sensation from the standard Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

ADAS system worked stupendously, seamlessly switching lanes on the highway while maintaining speeds and adjusting to the flow of traffic around me. I also love the head-up display (HUD), which is one of the more robust in the industry in my opinion. It compliments an MBUX complete with navigation that remains one of the very best. I never have to use Apple CarPlay in a Mercedes EV – that’s rare. Here’s the HUD in action:

All that said, there’s one huge hurdle in our way as we try to compare the AMG EQE SUV to its standard predecessor – Mercedes-AMG is not yet sharing pricing. Even so, it’s easy to wager that the AMG version will cost more than most trims of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and I’m personally not sure its worth it – especially since the latter is already such a well designed EV.

Electrek’s Take

Overall, I like the look of the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV inside and out, but also felt like its sports car interior didn’t quite fit the level of performance (or lack thereof) this EV offers. I’d personally save my money and go for one of the Premium versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 SUV, depending on whether you want 2WD or 4WD – might be able to snag those tax credits, too.

Aside from the better motors and AMG Ride Control+, a lot of the same technology is present in the standard EQE SUV, including a heat pump and damping – it’s just slower off the starting line. Sure, the AMG version can go 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.4 seconds (using Race Start), but are you buying a mid-size luxury SUV to haul ass at every green light?

I’d take the 6.3 seconds with the EQE 350+ SUV for the 279 miles of range. Can AMG’s version beat that? It remains to be seen as the performance automaker has yet to divulge that information, which is interesting. The provisional range was expected to be between 233-292 miles (WLTP), another big reason why I’d probably lean toward the Premium 350+ or 350 4MATIC.

I think there will always be a place for AMG vehicles, especially as the growing lineup of EVs opens the door to better performance opportunities – we’ve already begun to see this potential in the AMG EQS and EQE sedans. When it comes to the EQE SUV however, I’d rather save my money on the Mercedes-Benz version and don’t think I’d miss anything in the AMG model.

We will have to see how pricing plans out and how the different models compare financially.

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Trump admin halts $5 billion NY offshore wind project mid-build

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April 17, 2025

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Trump admin halts billion NY offshore wind project mid-build

Equinor Empire Wind
Photo: Equinor

In its most aggressive attack against offshore wind yet, the Trump administration halted the $5 billion Empire Wind 1, already under construction off New York’s coast.

Norwegian developer Equinor announced yesterday that it received notice from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) ordering Empire Wind 1 to halt all activities on the outer continental shelf until BOEM has completed its review. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted this tweet yesterday:

Burgum gave no indication of what insufficiencies there were in the approval process for the fully permitted offshore wind project, despite Trump’s recent declaration of a national energy emergency that speeds up permitting processes.

The commercial lease for the 810-megawatt (MW) Empire Wind 1’s federal offshore wind area was signed in March 2017 during the first Trump administration. It was approved by the Biden administration in November 2023 and began construction in 2024.

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The project is being developed under contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Empire Wind 1, which was due to come online in 2027, has the potential to power 500,000 New York homes.

“Halting construction of fully permitted energy projects is the literal opposite of an energy abundance agenda,” said American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet in a statement. “We encourage the administration to quickly address perceived inadequacies in the prior permit approvals so that this project can complete construction and bring much-needed power to the grid.”

As Electrek reported, Equinor secured $3 billion to finance Empire Wind 1 in January. The total amount drawn under the project finance term loan facility as of March 31 was around $1.5 billion. 

As of March 31, Empire Wind has a gross book value of around $2.5 billion, including South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (pictured above), which was expected to become the US’s largest dedicated port facility for offshore wind.

In response to BOEM’s stop work order, New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued the following statement:

Every single day, I’m working to make energy more affordable, reliable and abundant in New York and the federal government should be supporting those efforts rather than undermining them. Empire Wind 1 is already employing hundreds of New Yorkers, including 1,000 good-paying union jobs as part of a growing sector that has already spurred significant economic development and private investment throughout the state and beyond.

As Governor, I will not allow this federal overreach to stand. I will fight this every step of the way to protect union jobs, affordable energy and New York’s economic future.

Equinor says it’s considering appealing BOEM’s order.

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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Jackery Earth Day Sale takes up to 50% off units with bonus savings, G-Force moto-style ZM e-bike at $800 off, Greenworks, more

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April 17, 2025

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Jackery Earth Day Sale takes up to 50% off units with bonus savings, G-Force moto-style ZM e-bike at 0 off, Greenworks, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is Jackery’s Earth Day Sale that is taking up to 50% off power stations, with many of them being marked down from the brand’s short-term Easter savings, complete with bonus savings. Among the lineup, we spotted the expandable Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station bundled with a 500W solar panel at its $1,614 low. Coming up right behind it is G-Force Bikes’ Spring Sale with up to $800 in e-bike savings, the largest of which is on the moto-styled ZM All-Terrain Fat Tire e-bike that starts at $1,199 for an 80-mile trekking single-battery setup, with a double battery option not much higher. Lastly, we have a one-day-only new low price on the Greenworks 1,900 PSI Steel-Framed Electric Pressure Washer at $118, as well as a bonus cleaner attachment deal. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Earth Day savings on both Bluetti power stations and Lectric’s e-bike bundles, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Invest in sustainable power for on-the-go and home backup at up to 50% off with Jackery’s Earth Day Sale from $90

Jackery has officially launched its Earth Day Sale through April 25 which is lowering many of its previous Easter offers with up to 50% off a collection of power stations, solar generators, and some accessories – and we’re also seeing on-page promo codes for extra savings. One such bundle gives you the brand’s Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station with a 500W solar panel for $1,614.05 shipped, after using the promo code EXTRA5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. It’s already coming down from its usual $2,949 price tag, with the bonus savings dipping that price further, back to the best we’ve seen from some of this year’s previous events. You’re looking at a combined 45% markdown here, putting $1,335 back in your pocket and equipping you with an expandable means for on-the-go and at-home backup power at the lowest price we have tracked. Like most of the deals in this sale, you’ll find this package beating out its Amazon pricing too, where it’s currently sitting $307 higher.

Grabbing this Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus bundle starts you off with a 2,042Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can support up to five extra batteries that increase things to 12,000Wh – plus, there’s the option to continue expansion with two of these setups being linked together to reach 24,000Wh. Power output here provides a steady 3,000W through the 10 ports, surging to 6,000W for larger needs, which becomes its regular output levels within expanded setups. It also has a 1,200W maximum solar input, which recharges the battery to full in two hours with six 200W panels (so around 5+ hours with the bundle here). You can also have the battery recharged via a wall outlet in two hours as well, though this doesn’t account for expandable setups.

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***Note: The extra 5% off discount has not been factored into the prices below – be sure to use the code EXTRA5 at checkout for the maximum savings!

Jackery Earth Day flash offers (through April 18):

Jackery’s Earth Day Sale home backup deals:

Jackery’s Earth Day Sale appliance backup deals:

Jackery’s Earth Day Sale outdoor backup deals:

Jackery’s accessory deals:

You can shop through Jackery’s entire Earth Day Sale on the landing page here.

G-Force ZM All-Terrain e-bike

G-Force Spring Sale drops moto-styled ZM all-terrain e-bike with 80-mile range to $1,199

G-Force Bikes is having a Spring Sale running through the rest of the month that is also being billed as a “last-chance sale” before prices increase due to tariffs, with the brand providing a countdown clock on its site. Among the up to $800 we’re seeing across the brand’s lineup of e-bikes, we spotted the ZM All-Terrain Fat Tire e-bike down at $1,199 shipped. Normally fetching $1,999 direct from the brand, with third-party sites pricing it as high as $2,499, the discounts we have tracked over the last year have mainly been seen dropping costs between $1,299 and $1,499. It’s getting the maximum savings during this sale at $800 off, dropping it to the lowest price we can find while also giving you a pair of HD wide-angle rearview mirrors free of charge, valued at $49.

The G-Force ZM e-bike borrows heavily from motorcycle styling while still retaining a street-legal class 3 status, equipped with a 750W brushless gear hub motor that can peak as high as 1,300W to deliver up to 86Nm of torque power, topping out at 28 MPH speeds. What’s more, for such an affordable price, it also provides some extensive traveling range, with the standard 20Ah single-battery option carrying you 60 to 80 miles with its five PAS levels or you can double that to 120 to 160 for just $200 more with the 40Ah dual-battery setup.

For such a low price, there’s a nice array of quality features that it brings along, like the full suspension, with an adjustable front fork and rear system for smoother riding, along with hydraulic disc brakes for guaranteed stopping power, and 20-inch puncture-resistant tires with fenders over each for those off-road ventures. That’s not all, as you’ll also find it has a 400-pound payload, a 48V LED headlight, an integrated rear light with braking functionality, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, a wear-resistant padded bench seat with room for a passenger, a half-twist throttle for electric cruising, and a large color LCD with a USB port for charging up devices as you ride, particularly nice if you use your phone as a GPS.

G-Force’s other Spring Sale e-bike deals:

Greenworks 1,900 PSI electric pressure washer

Get rid of muck with this steel-framed Greenworks 1,900 PSI electric pressure washer at new $118 low (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the best rate yet on the Greenworks 1,900 PSI Steel-Framed Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer for $117.99 shipped. This model usually goes for $200 in full, with the discounts we’ve seen taking things as low as $120 over the past year. That rate is getting beaten out here by $2 for the rest of the day only, providing you a total of $82 in savings and marking a new all-time low. You won’t find this model currently available at Amazon, nor is it getting any discounts direct from Greenworks either. Below, you’ll also find a secondary one-day-only deal on a cleaning attachment that amplifies its capabilities.

Sporting a durable open steel frame design, the 13A motor on this Greenworks pressure washer provides you with up to 1,900 PSI at a 1.2 GPM flow rate to tackle the muck and grime along driveways, walkways, and the like. You won’t need to wrestle with pull strings, as it starts up with the press of a button, not to mention its electrical functionality, getting rid of the fumes and costs from gas – plus, it even has a waterproof plug at the end of its 35-foot power cord to ensure extra protection. You’ll have on-board storage for the included nozzles, the hose, and the metal spray gun, as well as an integrated soap tank for detergent when you need some extra cleaning power.

A secondary deal lasting the rest of the day that compliments the above or any of the brand’s pressure washers, is the 12-inch Surface Cleaner Attachment for $20.99 shipped, down from $40. It has a quick-connect feature for a faster and more effortless setup, with dual cleaning nozzles on its underside to level up the pressure washer’s cleaning power and coverage area.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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China cracks down on automated driving features after Tesla’s FSD launch

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3 hours ago

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April 17, 2025

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China cracks down on automated driving features after Tesla's FSD launch

Tesla FSD v12.5

Just after Tesla launched its ‘Full Self-Driving’ package, in China, the country announced that it cracking down on automated driving features with new limitations.

In February, Tesla launched a first version of its “Full Self-Driving” FSD package in China for owners with the latest “Hardware 4.0”, or “HW4”, vehicles.

Most of the features under Tesla’s FSD package have been limited to North America due to Tesla training its system for this market first and due to regulatory limitations in other markets.

Shortly after Tesla launched FSD in China, the American automaker had to pause its rollout due to updated requirements from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

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Now, MIIT has confirmed that it held a meeting with automotive industry stakeholders yesterday, and it has further clarified the rollout of advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features.

CNEV reported on the meeting:

Car companies were asked to refrain from using words like “self-driving,” “autonomous driving,” “smart driving,” “advanced smart driving,” and instead use the term “combined assisted driving” to avoid misleading consumers, according to the minutes of the meeting.

Tesla had already changed the name from ‘Full Self-Driving’ to “Intelligent Assisted Driving” following the launch in China.

Based on a statement from MIIT, the meeting focused on enforcing the previously announced updated requirements that launched right after Tesla introduced FSD in China (translated from Chinese):

The meeting emphasized that automobile manufacturers must deeply understand the requirements of the “Notice”, fully carry out combined driving assistance testing and verification, clarify the system functional boundaries and safety response measures, and must not make exaggerations or false propaganda. They must strictly fulfill their obligation to inform, and truly assume the main responsibility for production consistency and quality safety, and truly improve the safety level of intelligent connected vehicle products.

Regulators want automakers to reduce the frequency of new software updates and instead focus on extended testing before releasing new updates.

The last few months have been quite chaotic for ADAS systems in China. Along with Tesla’s FSD release, several Chinese companies released their systems, including BYD, Xiaomi, and Huawei.

Xiaomi reported a fatal accident in which its ADAS system was active just seconds before the crash, and Tesla owners using FSD racked up thousands of dollars in fines due to FSD making mistakes.

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