Lucid Air electric sedan claims highest electric-only range

Lucid Motors, a new maker of luxury EVs set to compete with Tesla, has announced a range of 832 km on a single charge for its forthcoming Lucid Air all-electric sedan, far higher than its rival, the Tesla Model S.

This new benchmark range was secured with independent company FEV North America in Michigan, applying the EPA’s Multicycle Test Procedure with the standard adjustment factor. The results confirm that the Lucid Air will be the longest range electric vehicle once it debuts next month, after showing off the concept for the past several years.

Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid Motors says “I believe that our 900-volt architecture, our race proven battery packs, miniaturized motors and power electronics, integrated transmission systems, aerodynamics, chassis and thermal systems, software, and overall system efficiency has now reached a stage where it collectively sets a new standard and delivers a host of world’s firsts.” Incidentally, Rawlinson is the former lead engineer of the Tesla Model S.

The expertise of Lucid’s technology division, Atieva, played a large role, as it supplies battery packs for the entire field of the Formula E racing series since 2018 and continuing through 2022.

Apparently capable of 380 kph, the sedan’s final interior and exterior designs, production specifications, available configurations and pricing information will be shared when it debuts on September 9th.

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia took a majority share in California-based Lucid Motors after an investment of over US$ 1 billion in 2019, after the company ran into financial trouble during the development of the Lucid Air. The company is now building a factory in Arizona, where it plans to put the sedan into production by the end of this year.