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mercedes drive pilot level 3 los angeles

Mercedes invited us out to Santa Monica to drive its EQS in some of the worst possible traffic conditions – and we were happy about it, because it let us test its new DRIVE PILOT system, the first actual hands-free “Level 3” autonomous drive system certified to operate in the US.

Autonomous drive systems are ranked from level 0-5, describing how much capability the system has. In general, levels 0-2 are primarily human-driven, and levels 3-5 are primarily autonomously driven.

Most manufacturers selling cars today have some sort of driver assistance system that can be categorized as level 2. Every other system in the US (except driverless taxis like Waymo/Cruise, which are geofenced level 4 systems) caps out at level 2, which means that drivers still have ultimate liability for anything that happens while they are behind the wheel.

(A note: GM calls “Super Cruise” a “hands-free” system, which does let you drive without touching the wheel, but it is still a level 2 system, and drivers must keep their eyes on the road and are still ultimately responsible for the vehicle while behind the wheel.)

But Mercedes Drive Pilot is a level 3 system – the first validated to work in the US. Mercedes described this gulf between level 2 and level 3 as a “moonshot,” a step change in how people can use their vehicles.

What that means is this is the first system in the US that is actually validated to take full control of the vehicle, under certain circumstances, freeing you to do other tasks than driving. The system has been out in Germany for about a year now (and Mercedes claims it has tallied zero accidents while enabled, so far), but is only just coming stateside.

To do this, the vehicle uses a dizzying array of sensors and redundancies (including three types of rain sensors – as opposed to zero) to ensure that it has a good view of everything around it. It takes advantage of vision, radar, lidar, GPS, ultrasonic, and acoustic recognition of its environment (did we miss any?):

However, level 3 is still conditional automation, which means that it only works within Mercedes’ “Operational Design Domain.” This basically means heavy traffic conditions under 40 mph, with a lead car available, good weather, good road conditions, and in well-mapped areas. Also, a fallback driver needs to always be available to take over control whenever the car tells you to.

It has been known for quite some time that your commute is killing you. The more time you spend driving to and from work in traffic, the more exhaust you breathe, the more engine vibration you experience, the more money you spend on car fuel and maintenance, etc., the worse your life is. This is true in many measurable ways.

So anything we can do to take back some of that time, and some of that attention, to give us something else that we want to do instead, is positive. And if you live in that is choked with traffic because it has no public transit (because real-life cartoon villains conspired to destroy it, as retold in the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, which, amazingly, is based on a true story).

So, given the need for high traffic and good weather, where better to test it than rush hour in Santa Monica where the 10 meets the 405 (seriously, I’ve hit traffic there at midnight on a Sunday night, it’s always bad). This was no choreographed demonstration on a test track, like Seth tried out last year, but a real test with a bunch of real Angelenos doing the same weird things they do every day on the freeway.

Imagine being happy about traffic

The first thing I did was sit in the car and… watch a seven-minute video describing Drive Pilot’s operation and limitations. Mercedes requires that all drivers watch this video before activating the system.

Then I noticed the “augmented reality heads-up display,” which was more extensive than any other heads-up display I’ve tried (and which actually worked with polarized sunglasses, well done Mercedes). The HUD shows a lot of the information that Drive Pilot is basing its decisions on, and the in-car visualization is quite detailed (compared to Tesla’s, it’s not quite as detailed/responsive, but feels less nervous/jiggly). The quality of this visualization, especially being able to see it at a glance in the window in front of you, gives a lot of confidence in the system.

Then, upon getting on the freeway and being stuck at 8 mph, the EQS quickly notified me that Drive Pilot is available by lighting up white lights on the steering wheel. The system is activated by pressing the buttons associated with the lights, then pressing “OK.” After this, the lights turn turquoise, which Mercedes has proposed as a standard “this car is using self-driving” indicator (the car is surrounded by turquoise exterior lighting, as well, so other drivers know).

And once the system is active, I was now officially not driving the car. I could use the car’s screen for whatever function I like, I could read a newspaper (though CA regulations say not to hold anything hard between yourself and the airbag), I could relax (without sleeping).

Mercedes has included several apps, though these basically seemed to boil down to a browser, a media player, YouTube, and some simple games, so far (no Steam or Twitch app, unlike Tesla). We were told the German version has an e-mail app, but that this doesn’t currently exist on the US model. We expect more apps may come later.

So I took the chance to watch some videos in traffic without a care in the world:

I was surprised how comfortable I got, and how quickly

Honestly, it was kind of amazing how immediately comfortable I was with this system. I’ve spent plenty of time in Teslas, driving both Autopilot and FSD, and frankly I generally prefer to drive without those aids turned on. And other manufacturers’ systems all have their pluses and minuses as well.

They have their place (traffic, hours-long straight roads), but they also make a lot of weird decisions. I’ve never had one that I didn’t feel like I had to keep my eyes on at all times (and I do – that’s what level 2 is about).

So when I spent two minutes playing shufflepuck, or 20 minutes (and about two miles of road…) discussing the nuances of the system with my Mercedes rep while the car took care of the driving (if you can call ~6 mph “driving”), I found that I had been paying little enough attention to the road that I wasn’t sure which exits had passed and which were up ahead.

This brings up a potential ownership consideration: You might want to keep the navigation lady’s voice turned on to warn you if you’re going to miss your exit, as one thing level 3 won’t do is change lanes. My Mercedes rep wasn’t sure if the car would issue a fallback warning asking you to take over if your exit was coming soon. This could be nice to see in a future update…

But even with drivers acting as inattentively as myself, Drive Pilot tries to be a courteous road user. With the myriad cameras all around it, it will even attempt to detect lane-splitting motorcycles (it’s legal in California) and move slightly over in the lane to give them a little more room. During my test, one of the motorcyclists even put his hand up to wave and thank “me” for moving over for him. Thanks for earning me some bonus social credit, car.

While level 3 won’t change lanes, Mercedes has added Automatic Lane Change to its DISTRONIC level 2 system, which worked confidently in my test. It will only change lanes when there’s a wide opening, but will make sure you’re in the proper lane for interchanges and exits and will choose faster lanes for passing, then move to the right when not passing (very important in Germany… and almost entirely unheard-of in Los Angeles).

One issue I could see happening is if people forget the difference between level 2 and level 3. While there are a lot of indicators, drivers might get comfortable enough with hands-free level 3 mode that, when activating level 2 mode, they might find themselves treating it like level 3. Mercedes has a lot of redundancies and indicators to remind drivers what mode they’re in, but drivers do tend to pay less attention than they’re supposed to on a level 2 system already, and given how quickly I got comfortable with Drive Pilot, I could see drivers having some lapses while only level 2 Distronic is activated.

Liability – who’s really driving?

Mercedes was careful not to explicitly say that they take liability for things that happen when Drive Pilot is activated. Instead, they repeatedly stated “we stand behind our product.” The question of the trolley problem also came up, and Mercedes dodged it stating that the car wouldn’t get into a situation like that, since it only operates in traffic jams. So we’re still kicking philosophy down the road for the time being (or letting Waymo and Cruise deal with it for now, anyway).

In reality, liability will end up being decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the accident report, how responsive drivers were to fallback warnings, information recorded on the car’s data recorder, and so on. Mercedes also says that drivers must maintain the vehicle to be in proper working condition, including recommended tire pressures, tread depth, kept clean so sensors work properly, and so on (surely every automaker has wanted an excuse to require that their cars stay looking pretty – and Mercedes finally found it).

When Drive Pilot is activated and the car decides that it can no longer drive on its own, it will issue a fallback warning. These warnings are quite obvious – the screen turns red, media stops playing, audio warnings chime, the car tugs at your seatbelt, and so on. At that point, you have 10 seconds to take over. If you don’t, the car will come to a stop as safely as possible (but without changing lanes), turn on the hazard lights and the dome lights, unlock the doors, and call emergency services.

Fallback warnings can happen if any of the previous conditions end (rain starts, sunset happens, etc.), if the fallback driver is no longer deemed as present (eyes looking at the back of the car, seat reclined, asleep, etc.), or if something abnormal intrudes onto the road (pedestrians on the freeway, emergency vehicles, construction zone, etc.).

On the emergency vehicle point, the car has stereo internal microphones to detect siren noises and issue a fallback warning if detected (though you can’t trick them with a YouTube video, as I tried testing):

I got fallback warnings several times on the drive, mostly on purpose. The driver camera at the top of the instrument cluster needs to be able to see your eyes, so looking toward your passenger, into the backseat, or having the steering wheel or any other object in the way will trigger a warning (but you can wear sunglasses – even polarized ones).

I did notice one odd behavior when driving alongside a school bus, wherein the car decided that I needed to take over due to an emergency vehicle nearby. I suspect this had to do with the (non-illuminated) stop signs on the side of the bus – or maybe another nearby Drive Pilot car told us an emergency vehicle was coming, which the system is supposedly able to do. Regardless, it was easy enough to re-activate the system a few seconds later without complaints from the car.

Price & availability

The system will be available on Mercedes’ EQS and S-Class (but who would want that one? it runs on gas, yuck) in the US later this year. Significant hardware is required and can’t be retrofitted, so you’ll need to get a level 3-capable car on purchase. The hardware itself won’t change the vehicle’s price, but using the system requires a subscription, which costs $2,500 for the first year. Mercedes hasn’t yet committed to prices for subsequent years.

Drive Pilot will only work in areas with a high-resolution map available. These maps are precise down to an inch or two, and even account for continental drift.

Mercedes said that the system will initially cover Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Bay Area, Sacramento, San Diego, Las Vegas, and the freeways in between these big cities. A map showing its coverage area will be available from Mercedes soon.

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 lose the $7,500 EV tax credit: Here’s how you can still get it

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January 21, 2025

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 lose the ,500 EV tax credit: Here's how you can still get it

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit

In a sudden reversal, Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 EVs no longer qualify for the $7,500 US tax credit. Although this is a major blow to one of the top-selling EV brands in the US, there is still a way you can get the credit. Here’s how.

Hyundai EVs lose US federal tax credit in 2025

After setting another new US retail sales record last year, its fourth straight, Hyundai expected 2025 could be even bigger.

“With exciting new models like the IONIQ 9 and increased US production ramping up at our new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, I’m confident this momentum will continue,” Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker said.

Earlier this month, Hyundai announced its new 2025 IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, both made in the US, qualified for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

This was significant news because it was the first time Hyundai qualified since the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in 2022.

The upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5 and Hyundai’s three-row IONIQ 9 were among 25 EVs that qualified for the credit in early January.

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT (Source: Hyundai)

According to the updated list from the Department of Energy (DOE) last week, Hyundai no longer has eligible EV models. The only Hyundai Motor Group (including Kia and Genesis) electric cars that qualify are the 2025 Kia EV6 and 2026 Kia EV9. Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, also lost eligibility.

Hyundai began production at its new $7.6 billion EV plant in Georgia in October. The new 2025 IONIQ 5 was the first to roll off the assembly line, which will be joined by Hyundai’s three-row IONIQ 9.

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)

Last year, Hyundai said it expected US-built models would qualify for a partial $3,750 credit until its battery unit with SK On came online, which was expected sometime in 2025.

Kia builds the new 2025 EV6 and three-row EV9 at its West Point, GA plant, enabling it to still qualify for the credit.

Meanwhile, Hyundai is still passing the $7,500 EV tax credit on through leasing. With leases starting as low as $199 per month, the new 2025 IONIQ 5 is still cheaper than a new Toyota RAV4.

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

With a bigger 84 kWh battery, the 2025 IONIQ 5 has a driving range of up to 328 miles, up from 303 miles in the outgoing model, which had a 77.4 kWh battery. It also gains noticeable design upgrades and now includes an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.

The IONIQ 5 was already the fourth-top-selling electric vehicle in the US last year. With more range, an upgraded design, and a Tesla NACS port, it will be even more attractive in 2025.

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim EV Powertrain Driving Range (miles) Starting Price* 
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range 168-horsepower rear motor 245 $42,500
IONIQ 5 SE RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $46,550
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $49,500
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $54,200
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 290 $50,050
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 290 $53,000
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor  AWD 320 horsepower dual motor 259 $55,400
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 269 $58,100
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim (*includes $1,475 destination fee)

Hyundai launched a new promo last week. It offers those who buy or lease the new 2025 IONIQ 5 a free ChargePoint Level 2 EV charger. Alternatively, you can choose a $400 charging credit.

Are you ready to test Hyundai’s new electric vehicles for yourself? We can help you get started. Check out our links below to find deals on Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs at a dealer near you today.

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Tesla points to diner integration in app, insurance discount with Full Self-Driving, and more

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5 hours ago

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January 21, 2025

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Tesla points to diner integration in app, insurance discount with Full Self-Driving, and more

Tesla update points to the automaker’s upcoming diner in Los Angeles being integrated into its app, insurance discount for using (Supervised) Full Self-Driving, and more.

The latest update to Tesla’s mobile app has given us some insights into upcoming features.

First off, Tesla is getting closer to finishing its LA diner/Supercharger station, and according to a new in-app render found by Tesla App Updates, Tesla is going to integrate it into its app:

Obviously, Supercharger stations are already integrated in Tesla’s app, but there could be more with the diner, like in-app food ordering.

They also found an interesting new line in the Tesla app:

“safety_score_miles_and_miles_percent/safety_rating_discount_screen/safety_score_fsd_discount_experience_fsd”

It points to Tesla giving discounts to its insurance customers if they use Full Self-Driving (FSD) more when driving their vehicles.

Another alert message added to the vehicle points to something interesting:

Your vehicle must be connected to the internet to calculate the expected range based on age and mileage.

This would mean you could know if your range estimation is based purely on vehicle data or if it uses outside data, like weather around your route.

The Tesla app update also gives us a few hints about what’s coming with the RWD Cybertruck. The cheaper version of the Cybertruck won’t only have one motor instead of two and a smaller battery, but according to some updates in the app, it will also have a manual tonneau cover and optional outlets in the truck’s bed.

The cheaper Cybertruck is expected to launch later this year.

Finally, the app update also shows that Tesla will now tell you how much time it will take to heat the vehicle battery before charging starts.

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Hiboy winter sale takes 50% off EVs from $200, Rad Power RadWagon 4 cargo e-bike $1,499, EcoFlow DELTA 2 $449, Greenworks, more

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5 hours ago

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January 21, 2025

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Hiboy winter sale takes 50% off EVs from 0, Rad Power RadWagon 4 cargo e-bike ,499, EcoFlow DELTA 2 9, Greenworks, more

Today’s Green Deals are headlined by Hiboy’s latest winter sale with up to 50% being taken off its EV lineup, like the popular S2 Pro Electric Scooter that is down at $450, among others. Close behind is Rad Power’s switched-up sale that is still offering extra battery discounts, accessory packages on its newest models, and continued discounts like on the RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike that is down at $1,499. We also spotted EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Portable Power Station skidding lower than the brand’s ongoing New Year sale’s pricing, with it down at $449 for an unknown time. At the end of things we have a 1-day discount on Greenworks’ 80V 22-inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower with a 4.0Ah battery at 50% off for $400 – and even an additional discount on a secondary 4.0Ah battery that can fit right into the snow blower’s additional slot. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s 5-day Jackery sale with select low power station pricing, Velotric’s Go 1 Utility e-bike hitting $999, 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.

Hiboy has launched a winter sale that is giving e-riders up to 50% in continued savings on its lineup of EVs, with one of the best affordable commuters from under the flag, the S2 Pro Electric Scooter, down at $449.99 shipped. This model would normally cost you $736 outside of the discounts, with the biggest we saw in 2024 being a drop to the $380 low during Cyber Monday sales. Today, you’re looking at a 39% markdown that slashes $286 off the going rate and lands it down among its lowest prices – matching its Christmas and New Year pricing. You’ll also find it matching in price over at Amazon right now too.

One of the best models for new and veteran riders looking for an affordable commuter, Hiboy’s S2 Pro arrives equipped with a 11.6Ah battery that powers the 500W hub motor and delivers a 25-mile travel distance on one charge at top speeds of up to 19 MPH. It features both downhill and regenerative braking to recycle energy for prolonged travels, recharging the battery whenever riders use the brakes or coast down hills. It comes with an IPX4 water-resistant build with a standard folding body, as well as an LED headlight, taillight, and sidelights. There’s also a full array of smart controls through the companion app, including setting adjustments and remote locking when you’re not riding.

If your commute is a shorter distance and you’d prefer saving a bit more, you can grab the 17-mile S2 Electric Scooter at $309.99 shipped, down from $600, or for longer commutes, consider the upgraded S2 Max Electric Scooter for $519.99 shipped while it’s down from $885.

More Hiboy winter sale e-scooter deals:

Hiboy winter sale kids EV deals:

Hiboy winter sale e-bike deals:

You can browse the entirety of Hiboy’s winter sale on the landing page here.

Rad Power RadWagon 4 cargo e-bike

Rad Power’s flash sale offers have ended, with the brand shifting its sale to now end January 29 – and keeping a few previous offers just without the extra battery promotion attached. A notable continuation is the brand’s RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike dropping to $1,499 shipped. Normally priced at $1,799 after falling from its original $1,999 price tag back in 2024, it usually spends sales at $1,599 or higher, we haven’t seen it fall lower since 2023 though, with its $1,399 rate last seen summer 2023 and its $1,299 pre-order low not seen since it first hit the market years before. As it currently stands, this is the best rate we’ve seen in over a year.

One of the most popular Rad Power models I’ve seen in NYC (right beside the RadRunner 2), especially when it comes to parents and nannies in need of a way to shepherd kids around the city, the RadWagon 4 e-bike is hands-down my favorite cargo-hauling model. The 672Wh battery provides you with up to 45+ miles of travel via its five levels of pedal assistance (25+ miles using only the throttle), topping out at 20 MPH speeds.

It comes stocked with some solid features that make it ready for your e-mobility needs, like the integrated taillight that activates when braking, the obvious integrated rear cargo rack that boasts versatility, custom 22-inch by 3-inch tires with fenders over each, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, a 200-lumen headlight, a water-resistant wiring harness for weather protection, and a backlit LCD display that has a USB port to charge your phone with.

Rad Power’s extended e-bike savings:

Rad Power’s newest e-bikes with accessory deals:

  • RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 60+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike: $2,399
    • 28 MPH for up to 60+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount

***Note: With the following battery pack discounts – be sure to check compatibility with your existing model before ordering. Discounts will be automatically applied in the cart.

Rad Power e-bike accessory savings:

EcoFlow DELTA 2 power station

Take EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 portable LiFePO4 power station traveling with you at $449

EcoFlow’s official Amazon storefront is beating out its direct New Year sale pricing on the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station that is being offered for $449 shipped. Costing $999 at full price, it spent most of 2024 keeping above $549, with gradual falls lower until Cyber Monday saw it land at the $399 low. It is currently priced at $499 in the brand’s direct New Year sale, and even with the two sitewide discount options, this deal here still comes in $15 to $25 lower at the second-lowest price we have tracked, saving you a total of $550. It’s 220W solar bundle option is also beating out its New Year pricing at $699, down from $1,299.

A great companion for travels, EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 power station offers an expandable LiFePO4 capacity starting at 1,024Wh (just the station) and ramping up to 3,072Wh (with added expansion batteries). Your devices and most appliances are covered through any of its 15 port options, with the unit providing a 1,800W output that surges up to 2,200W thanks to the station’s X-Boost tech, which also reduces its own charging times. In just 50 minutes you can have its own battery back to 80% via a wall outlet, with a full charge taking a little longer at 80 minutes. You can also refill the battery fully in six hours with the 220W solar panel bundle option, with that time shrinking as you add more solar input up to its maximum 500W.

Greenworks 80V 22-inch cordless electric snow blower

For today only save 50% on Greenworks’ 80V 22-inch cordless electric snow blower with a 4.0Ah battery at $400

Coming to us through its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 80V 22-inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower with a 4.0Ah battery for $399.99 shipped through the end of the day. Normally you’d be shelling out $800 for this package at full price, with 2024 mostly seeing drops between $450 and $570, though we did spy it hitting the $330 low in a similar one-day early Christmas sale. This limited-time deal comes in to cut a massive 50% off the going rate, giving you the second-lowest price we have tracked.

This 80V snow blower’s digitally controlled brushless motor comes powered by the single 4.0Ah battery (with an additional slot for a second battery, if preferred) to provide enough juice to clear out a 6-car driveway on one full charge. Able to clear out a 22-inch wide path after a pass, with a 10-inch depth, the snow will be tossed out of your way by up to 20 feet through its 180-degree rotating chute. The auger-assist system on this model delivers more support to break through heavier snow and ice that hasn’t been too tightly packed down, with the LED headlights giving you the visibility you need in low-light hours, as well as a foldable handle design for storage needs.

Also sitting in the one-day pool of deals is Greenworks’ 80 Volt 4.0Ah battery (without a charger) for $159.99 shipped. This deal cuts $70 off a $230 price tag to give you the second-lowest rate ($12 above all-time low) and a great opportunity to add a secondary battery to the above snow blower if you don’t have another already lying around. This doubles your available runtime, letting you clear out even more snow.

Best New Year 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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