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Italian luxury automaker Maserati is now entering its fourth year of its 100% electric strategy and sits on the precipice of launching its second BEV model – the Grecale Folgore SUV. I got invited to Southern Italy to take the Grecale Folgore to the road (and off the road) to see if the famed automaker’s niche for power and luxury translates to the all-electric age.

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Background on a legacy Italian automaker

Maserati S.p.A is celebrating 110 years in automotive later this year, and during its run, it has stayed true to its Italian roots. Founded in Bologna and currently headquartered in Modena, the “Trident” brand operates under the Stellantis umbrella.

Following suit with its parent company, Maserati has made firm commitments to electrification (we love to see it), especially as many of its Italian sports car competitors drag their feet on the matter. In 2020, Maserati shared a five-year strategy to transition to BEVs, developing and selling all-electric versions of each one of its models.

Maserati called these variants “Folgore,” which is Italian for “lightning,” donning a “rame” (copper) badge that epitomizes a vital material in BEV components. That initial strategy began with the announcement of two all-electric models – the GranTurismo Folgore and the Maserati Grecale Folgore.

The GranTurismo arrived first, launching in late 2022 before hitting the market in 2023. Simultaneously, Maserati began teasing its all-electric follow-up, the Grecale Folgore – a bespoke electric version of combustion SUV that initially launched as a 2023 model and has found a large audience of female drivers (over 40%).

As the Grecale Folgore approaches the start of sales soon, Maserati invited media out to its native Italy to test out the SUV first-hand. Here are my thoughts.

Electric Maserati Grecale Folgore features and specs

As the first all-electric SUV, a lot is riding on the success of the Grecale Folgore, but it should fare relatively well. First, I want to share what I was working with in my travels around the Mediterranean in Italy.

I drove a dual-motor AWD in Folgore’s signature “Rame” paint, a shimmery matte that looks grey in darker lighting, then shines in a brighter copper in the sun (see above). I found all three exterior shades stunning in the Italian sun but was partial to the Rame tint, especially with the copper accents throughout the SUV you can see above and below.

Alright, let’s start with the specs before I share my thoughts. The Grecale Folgore is the first model to sit atop Maserati’s all-electric Giorgio platform, consisting of 33 modules housing lithium-ion cells. Those translate to a whopping 105 kWh pack (97 kWh usable) weighing 1,500 pounds. This is by no means a light and nimble EV, but Maserati aimed to deliver the power it has been celebrated for over the last century.

Two 205 kW electric drive motors provide 820 Nm (~604 lb-ft) of torque and propel the SUV to 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.1 seconds. It’s not exactly “Folgore”-fast on the straightaway, but it certainly gets the job done. More on that in a bit.

Giorgio is a 400V platform, so its charging capabilities are unfortunately limited. The Grecale Folgore can reach a top DC charge rate of 150 kW. That equates to a 20-80% charge in about 29 minutes (again, 400V platform). We plugged it in on an IONITY pile and got as high as 122 kW, which reflects the charger itself, not the BEV.

AC charging can reach 22 kW, almost double the rate of your average 400V EV, which is a big plus, especially when you figure most owners will be charging primarily at home. Speaking of which, each all-electric Grecale Folgore comes with an AC cable and a Maserati-branded Level 2 charger included—a big perk.

Let’s move inside this copper-clad bad boy next. Here are some pics of the interior:

Maserati branded luxury, with a modern-day spin

While the Grecale Folgore may not be the fastest all-electric SUV on today’s roads, it’s still a Maserati, and the automaker skipped no steps in ensuring its customers experience comfort, class, and quality during every drive.

The cockpit screams quality, starting with the unique ECONYL seats that feature a black/copper combination separated by a superb lasering technique you can view above. The texture is unique, comfortable, and most importantly (to me) sustainable – utilizing recycled materials like plastic bottles and fishing nets for a second life. The design also allows for impressive ventilation plus heat and AC. You KNOW I love an air-conditioned seat. I kept that setting on the entire day and loved it.

Maserati opted away from a head-up display on the electric Grecale in favor of a crystal clear cluster screen flush in the dashboard that was easily visible while driving. The Grecale Folgore is also the first Maserati to feature a digital version of its signature clock in the center of the dash.

The center display was easy to navigate and didn’t require much tap-through. Especially since you can adjust regenerative braking and drive modes directly from the steering wheel, some customers will prefer more physical buttons, especially with the HVAC controls Still, I dug them and had no trouble using them, even while driving.

The park/drive settings are physical buttons in the center display, which I was not a fan of. I admittedly got in the driver’s seat to start the day and had to ask my ride partner how the hell to put the thing into drive. I didn’t see them at first. I can’t speak to the nav system because Maserati had us use Google Maps from a phone. Still, I’d probably go that route (literally and figuratively, anyway) because most infotainment maps suck.

The software was sometimes a little buggy, lagging or giving a black screen for a second, but nothing major. Overall, the vehicle stats and diagnostics were superb in real-time. You can monitor many interesting metrics from the center display, including things like consumption rate, efficiency, and the regen functions. Check it out:

I have more thoughts on the regen below. Lastly, the interior of the electric Grecale was roomy. It’s a relatively small-looking SUV from the outside, but its 2,903 mm wheelbase and completely flat Giorgio platform offer a lot of space for passengers and cargo. The backseat has ample legroom, and the trunk is sneaky big. Especially when you put the seats down. No frunk though. Not a huge loss, but it would be nice to have that extra space for luggage, tools, or all the seafood I consumed during my visit (SO much fish).

After getting a feel for the all-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore (say that five times fast), I was off, putting it through its paces around the countryside and quaint towns around Southern Italy; here are my thoughts.

Grecale Folgore is a decent start in electric Maseratis

The first impression behind the wheel of the Grecale Folgore is a feeling of comfort and quietness. The laminate windows keep the outside world out, although some wind noise can be heard at higher speeds, which is to be expected.

The four drive modes (Max Range, GT, Sport, and Off-Road) were easy to switch through, although I noticed little differences. The regenerative braking is available in four levels, from an ICE-esque roll to a stiffer D- setting. As I always say, I’m a massive proponent of one-pedal driving, and this SUV did not suit my preferences. Even the highest regen required plenty of braking.

Sport mode was the most fun as we got out onto open, windy roads along the Italian coast, away from speed traps, stiffening the suspension a bit with a polarizing feature – simulated engine noises. That’s right, Maserati, no strangers to boisterous engines, added speakers inside and out of the Grecale Folgore to give it a more powerful feel audibly – the most prominent in Sport mode.

I’m personally indifferent since I’m usually blasting Blink-182 anyway, but I can see why some people would want the revving noises and some wouldn’t. Here’s the kicker, though: you can’t turn the sound off. Keep the feature for sure, but give customers the option to silence it if they want.

Aside from Sport Mode, we also got the opportunity to take the Grecale Folgores off-road… which, in my opinion, was more like “off-the-road.” We trekked through large puddles and mud on a dirt road to showcase the SUV’s versatility at a lifted height. It’s a nice feature and good to have for unpaved terrain, but the suspension was still pretty bumpy, so it felt a little gimmicky to me. I wouldn’t take this EV true off-roading because it probably couldn’t handle it, it’s also just too pretty to get all muddy.

While on paper, the acceleration of the all-electric Maserati Grecale is just average, its power can’t be looked over, and it’s still a well-designed vessel for overtaking slow drivers or whipping around hairpin turns. It didn’t feel as sporty of a ride as you’d imagine when you think of the Trident brand, but its makers describe the SUV as a well-rounded, versatile EV, and I won’t disagree.

Overall, the quality of the Grecale Folgore shines, especially in its interior. I’m personally indifferent to the exterior design and found it a little boring from a side profile, but that copper paint is a winner on this one. Its 426 km (264 miles) WLTP range leaves a bit to be desired for the average consumer, but most of those customers likely won’t need more than that driving to and from work.

That heavy battery pack certainly plays a significant role, but Maserati really wanted to deliver full AWD power, but that’s at the cost of efficiency. I would have liked to see a dynamic motor function that automatically turns off the front motor when appropriate to maximize range, but that’s easier said than done.

We don’t have official pricing for the electric Maserati Grecale Folgore yet, but I’d surmise it starts at an MSRP between $90,000 and $100,000. Considering the specs you get, it’s too rich for my blood, but most Maserati customers are buying for the logo and the luxury; this is also an SUV, after all. If you want speed, go for one of the electric coupes.

Overall, the Grecale Folgore is a step in the right direction for Maserati, but efficiencies could be improved in future models to really max out range and performance. They’ve got the look and feel down for sure, though. I was also quite impressed at the brand’s dedication to BEVs in the future. It’s refreshing to see a company rooted in loud, combustion sports cars tout the foresight to get with the times and adapt its ethos to fit that future.

I’m looking forward to the official debut of the GranCabrio Folgore next month, as well as some other surprises that may or may not be coming to light later this year. I plan to keep you in the loop on all that as soon as I can, so be sure to check back with Electrek soon. Catch you on the next one.

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This fun-vibes Honda Cub lookalike electric scooter is now almost half off

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4 hours ago

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November 29, 2025

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This fun-vibes Honda Cub lookalike electric scooter is now almost half off

csc monterey electric scooter

The CSC Monterey – one of the most charming little electric scooters on the US market – has dropped to a shockingly low $1,699, down from its original $2,899 MSRP. That’s nearly half off for a full-size, street-legal electric scooter that channels major Honda Super Cub energy, but without the gas, noise, or maintenance of the original.

CSC Motorcycles, based in Azusa, California, has a long history of importing and supporting small-format electric and gas bikes, but the Monterey has always stood out as the brand’s “fun vibes first” model. With its step-through frame, big retro headlight, slim bodywork, and upright seating position, it looks like something from a 1960s postcard – just brought into the modern era with lithium batteries and a brushless hub motor.

I had my first experience on one of these scooters back in 2021, when I reviewed the then-new model here on Electrek. I instantly fell in love with it and even got one for my dad. It now lives at his place and I think he gets just as much joy from looking at it in his garage as riding it.

You can see my review video below.

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The performance is solidly moped-class, which is exactly what it’s designed for. A 2,400W rear hub motor pushes the Monterey up to a claimed 30 mph or 48 km/h (I found it really topped out at closer to 32 mph or 51 km/h), making it perfect for city streets, beach towns, and lower-speed suburban routes.

A 60V, roughly 1.6 kWh removable battery offers around 30–40 miles (48-64 km) of real-world range, depending on how aggressively you twist the throttle. It’s commuter-ready, grocery-run-ready, and campus-ready right out of the crate.

It’s also remarkably approachable. At around 181 pounds (82 kg), the Monterey is light for a sit-down scooter, making it easy to maneuver and park. There’s a small storage cubby, LED lighting, and the usual simple twist-and-go operation. And it comes with full support from CSC, a company that keeps a massive warehouse stocked with components and spare parts.

My sister has a CSC SG250 (I’m still trying to convert her to electric) and has gotten great support from them in the past, including from their mechanics walking her through carburetor questions over the phone. So I know from personal experience that CSC is a great company that stands behind its bikes.

csc monterey electric scooter
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csc monterey electric scooter
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But the real story here is the price. Scooters in this class typically hover between $2,500 and $4,500, and electric retro-style models often jump well above that.

At $1,699, the Monterey is one of the least expensive street-legal electric scooters available from a reputable US distributor, especially one that actually stocks parts and provides phone support.

If you’ve been curious about swapping a few car errands for something electric – or you just want a fun, vintage-styled runabout for getting around town – this is one of the best deals of the year.


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Podcast: Tesla Robotaxi setback, Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more

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18 hours ago

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November 28, 2025

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Podcast: Tesla Robotaxi setback, Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more

electrek podcast

In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss a big Tesla Robotaxi setback, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. Sales end on Dec. 8th for its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.

The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

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After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:


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Segway’s latest E3 Pro smart e-scooter hits new $500 low, NIU Black Friday EV sale (47% off), Anker SOLIX, Lectric, Aiper, more

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19 hours ago

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November 28, 2025

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Segway's latest E3 Pro smart e-scooter hits new 0 low, NIU Black Friday EV sale (47% off), Anker SOLIX, Lectric, Aiper, more


Today’s Green Deals is another jam-packed Black Friday edition, with all the ongoing savings we’ve spotted up until today having been collected into our Black Friday Green Deals hub here for your one-stop shopping needs. Our headliner is Segway’s new feature-packed E3 Pro Electric Scooter with Apple Find My that is down at a new $500 low, with NIU’s full Black Friday EV sale following right behind with up to 47% taken off e-scooters and e-bikes starting from $279. There’s also Anker’s SOLIX C300X AC Portable Power Station and a bundle option at new low prices starting from $160, as well as Lectric’s newly launched 40% off e-bike accessory sale + increased 30% off e-bike extra batteries, a smart irrigation system, a battery jumper/power bank combo, and much more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are collected together at the bottom of the page (and also in our Black Friday Green Deals hub), like yesterday’s expanded Rad Power Black Friday Sale lineup, the Black Friday savings on Anker eufy smart security devices at new lows, 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.

Segway’s feature-packed E3 Pro electric scooter with Apple Find My hits new $500 Black Friday low (Save $200)

Segway’s Black Friday Sale is in full gear and currently seeing hundreds in savings and plenty of returning and new low prices on its e-scooters and e-bikes. One such standout is Segway’s latest E3 Pro Electric Scooter down at $499.99 shipped, and which seems to have disappeared from Amazon’s marketplace. Carrying a $700 MSRP since launching back at the top of October, we’ve only seen this model given $100 price cuts in its launch deal and the brand’s Halloween and early Black Friday sales. Now, with things having ramped up with increased savings now that Black Friday is in full swing, you can score a larger-than-ever $200 markdown to a new all-time low price, giving you an advanced upgrade to your commute that I have been loving so far since getting one a short time ago.

I’ve been riding around Brooklyn for a short time now with my own Segway E3 Pro Electric Scooter and have been loving my experience so far, as it’s a MAJOR step up from the very basic E22 model I’ve had for short travels since 2020. While power has been significantly ramped up from its E2 Pro predecessor, this new generation still retains a fairly lightweight 40-pound design, which I am able (as a not-so-strong person) to carry easily with one hand/arm up and down my second-story stoop.

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Segway’s E3 Pro comes bearing a 400W motor (with 800W peaking) alongside a 368Wh battery, the combination of which delivers up to 34 miles of commuting support for your travels at up to 20 MPH speeds. The regenerative brake paired with the brand’s SegRange Optimization tech really lends towards the extended travel times here, with safety taken into mind with the SegRide stability enhancement tech, the latest traction control system, turn signaling, RGB ambient lighting for nighttime journeys, and a bright headlight. What’s more, security is bolstered by the Apple Find My inclusion for those worried about tracking it down should theft (or forgetfulness) occur.

One thing I have really been enjoying, especially when riding over more pot-hole lined streets, is Segway’s E3 Pro’s dual elastomer suspension, which does a great job of smoothing out overall rides, while providing added cushioning when sudden, jolting sections of the road (or debris/trash) are driven over. Along with all those, there are also additional features, including the previously mentioned rear electronic regen brake getting a companion front drum brake, as well as 10-inch self-sealing jelly tires, an IPX5 water-resistant build, a 265-pound total payload, and a 3-inch full-color LED screen for setting adjustments.

Be sure to check out Segway’s full official Black Friday Sale while it lasts for a short while longer, which can save you hundreds at the best prices of the year starting from $150.

man and woman riding NIU KQi 200F electric scooters through streets in both day and night

Score up to 47% Black Friday savings on NIU EVs, like the 2025 KQi 200F e-scooter at its $529 low (Reg. $799), more from $279

NIU’s Black Friday EV Sale is in full motion now, taking up to 47% off its lineup of e-scooters and e-bikes, like the KQi 200F Foldable Handlebar Electric Scooter for $529 shipped, which you can currently only find in a used condition at Amazon. This is one of the brand’s newer 2025 models that fetches $799 at full price, which dipped down to this rate for the first time earlier in the month before these Black Friday savings. Now, you’re getting another shot at this all-time low price with $270 savings, giving you a solid commuter that sits among the mid-range models from NIU.

You can view the full lineup of NIU’s Black Friday e-scooter and e-bike deals in our original coverage here.

Anker SOLIX C300X power station charging drone and projector on rocks

Anker’s SOLIX C300X 90,000mAh portable power station + solar bundle option at new Black Friday lows from $160

As part of Amazon’s ongoing Black Friday Week Sale, and running parallel to Anker’s SOLIX Black Friday Sale, the brand’s official storefront is offering the C300X 90,000mAh Portable Power Station (misnamed on page as C200X) for $159.99 shipped. Normally going for $300 at full price, this alternate darker colorway beats out its standard grey colorway’s direct sale pricing by $40, with its Amazon pricing on that model also beaten out by the same amount. Discounts before October kept things above $189, with increased falls lower to 169 and $161 over last month and mid-way through this month, before this Black Friday deal dropped things to a new all-time low. Not only are you saving a total $140 here, but you’ll also be getting the best price tracked on the station’s 60W foldable solar panel bundle that’s down at a low of $240 shipped.

If you want to learn more about this model, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here, and be sure to also browse through Anker’s extended/expanded SOLIX Black Friday Sale in full here.

man and woman riding Lectric e-bikes
man holding Lectric e-bike battery
Aiper IrriSense smart irrigation system watering grass in yard
GOOLOO's GP4000 jump started connected to car battery

Best Fall 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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