Lucid Motors has been building up its first production vehicle, with lofty claims of industry-leading battery range and speed, since releasing a prototype at the end of 2016. Four years later, the production model is here. The EV maker unveiled the Lucid Air on Wednesday in a global web broadcast from its Silicon Valley headquarters. The company said that deliveries of the new luxury sedan will begin in the spring of 2021.
Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid, was the chief engineer in developing the Tesla Model S when he worked for the EV industry leader from 2009 to 2012. He has now used his knowledge and experience to develop the Air, which is claimed to be 17% more energy efficient than any of the Tesla models, allowing a longer range using fewer cells.
“Lucid Motors is driven to make the electric car better, and by doing so, help move the entire industry forward towards accelerated adoption of sustainable mobility,” said Rawlinson in a press release. “The goal of this relentless approach to developing the world’s most advanced electric vehicle is to benefit all mankind with sustainable, zero-emission transportation, and to also attract new customers to the world of EVs. With the Lucid Air, we have created a halo car for the entire industry, one which shows the advancements that are possible by pushing the boundaries of EV technology and performance to new levels.”
The range of the Lucid Air
Third-party testing of the vehicle found that the car is estimated to achieve an EPA-rated range of 517 miles on a single charge. If the estimate holds up, it will far surpass the current industry-leading 402-mile range set by the high-end version of the Tesla Model S.
The company stated that the luxury sedan’s highest charging rate is 2 miles per minute, and can charge 300 miles in as little as 20 minutes. The high-end, dual-motor, AWD version of the Air is also stated to come with up to 1,080 horsepower, reaching quarter-mile times as quick as 9.9 seconds.
Related: CBT Automotive Newscast: August 18, 2020
Price tags and looking ahead
The Lucid Air will hit the market with luxury price tags, ranging from the base model starting at $80,000 all the way to a limited-volume “Dream Edition” that will be $169,000. The higher-priced models will hit the roads first, scheduled to go on sale in the second quarter of 2021. Lower-priced models will follow, going on sale in the fourth quarter and into 2022.
Rawlinson and Lucid believe the Air will lead the company into the future as the first of many all-electric offerings to come. The company hinted at an electric SUV concept called “Gravity” that is still in the works. According to the company’s website, the SUV will arrive in 2023.
What it means for Tesla
The arrival of the Air adds pressure to Tesla to make improvements across the board. It especially makes Tesla’s “Battery Day” event scheduled for September 22 even more important. After taking a sizable drop in the market, Tesla is hoping that new advancements in battery power and range will regain the interest and trust of shareholders.
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