Mercedes CEO on his fake-V8 electric AMG: ‘like a born-again Christian’

This is car industry news, not directly about home energy upgrades, but it touches on EVs, which matter to homeowners thinking about charging at home. Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius said driving the electric AMG CLA 45 made him feel "like a born-again Christian," praising its simulated V8 engine sound, including fake pops, bangs, and virtual gearshift feedback. He argued that the things enthusiasts love about gas engines haven't disappeared with electric cars, just changed form, and said Mercedes plans to grow its performance lineup by building AMG models on dedicated platforms.

The interview also touched on Mercedes' broader software push. Its new C-Class Electric runs an AI assistant built into the car's operating system, and that same software underpins gas-powered Mercedes models too. The company is in the middle of launching 40 new models by the end of 2027, using new electric platforms that already produced the CLA, with nearly 500 miles of range, along with new C-Class and GLC versions.

Källenius also admitted that mainstream buyers aren't fully sold on electric cars yet, even as the industry has "turned a corner." Mercedes says it's sticking with its long-term goal of going all-electric while still investing in advanced gas engines in the meantime. None of this changes rebates or programs for home chargers or solar, but it's a sign that automakers are betting harder on electric performance cars while keeping gas options around longer than once planned.