Mercedes-Benz Confirms EV Pricing Cut Ahead of US Production Pause

Mercedes EVs will get several thousands of dollars cheaper before the automaker breaks on EV production

Mercedes-Benz brought the EQS to market in 2021. Since then, it’s been plagued by lukewarm critical reception and less-than-remarkable sales figures. The vehicle was the Stuttgart-based automaker’s first foray into mainstream EVs. More importantly, its arrival harkened Benz’s dramatic shift towards electrifying all the things. Both decisions might have been a bit premature, and fast-forwarding to today, we see the pendulum swinging the other way. Not only are Mercedes EQ vehicles getting a lot less pricey, but they’re also going on a brief vacation.

First, pricing. Information originally leaked via a dealer employee on TikTok. Still, it was later confirmed by the automaker via Motor1 that almost anything with an EQ badge is getting a hefty price cut for the 2026 model year. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan is now available starting at $66,100, a $9,950 reduction. The EQS sedan sees a decidedly less dramatic trim, shedding $4,150 and still starting just over six figures. Meanwhile, electrified SUVs see substantial slashes. The 2026 EQE SUV drops by $12,950, now commanding $66,100, and the range-topping EQS SUV sees the most significant drop of all. Its new MSRP of $91,100 is a tremendous $15,300 less than what the 2025 model year vehicle retailed for. The only Mercedes-Benz EQ vehicle left unscathed is the compact EQB SUV, which was already the entry-level model at $53,050.

Price cuts come around the same time that Mercedes is closing the EQ order banks for US customers

While price cuts are good news for anyone who’s been in the market for an EQ and holding out, there’s a bit more to the story. Mercedes-Benz has confirmed to InsideEVs that EQ production will come to a halt in the US on September 1st. In fact, order banks have already closed for US customers, according to the automaker. That means if you are in the market, you’re likely stuck with whatever the dealer has on the lot or is about to arrive. Of course, US EV tax rebates are set to expire at the end of September, and frankly, we don’t believe in a coincidence at that scale.

The sad and ironic thing is that, aside from EV rebates, the EQ lineup becomes immediately much more competitive with a price drop. At around $90,000, the EQS SUV is a direct rival to the lauded BMW iX, offering a similar range, slightly less power, and more standard luxury features, including ventilated seats and rear seat pillows. The EQE Sedan now costs less than its direct competitor, the BMW i5. Simultaneously, the base car offers more torque and range than the standard i5. If Merc manages to keep the production pause short, we could start to see sales rise. Of course, all this is likely to tank prices on the secondhand market even further, so you might do even better there.

Final thoughts

While most Mercedes EQ models aren’t particularly loved — blame their bulbous styling and overreliance on technology — a price drop might be just what the cars needed to get their footing in the market. It’s unfortunate that it comes at a time when the path forward for electrification is murkier than ever. Assuming the EV market doesn’t completely evaporate with the tax incentives, we can see the car selling better into 2026 as Mercedes supplements its electrified lineup with cars like the EV GLC and CLA.