Lucid smashes Tesla EV range and claims world record
The results are in and EV antagonist Lucid Motors is crowing about the officially confirmed Tesla-topping range of its Air sedan.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the US$169,000 ($233,000) 696kW Air Dream Edition Range officially achieves 520 miles (837km) between recharges of its lithium-ion battery pack.
That smashes the previous record held by the Tesla Model S Long Range at 405 miles (652km), although that car retails for a much more affordable US$91,190 ($125,500).
The Air also sets a mark that will boggle the minds of rival EV brands, who are still trying to achieve a 400 mile range.
The result is not a complete surprise following various Lucid teases including a drive from home base in San Francisco to Los Angeles completed without needing to recharge.
“I’m delighted that our Lucid Air Dream Edition Range has been officially accredited with a range of 520 miles by the EPA, a number I believe to be a new record for any EV,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Group.
Rawlinson was the former chief vehicle engineer at Tesla and played a crucial role in bringing the Model S to market, a car that is arguably the most influential in the groundswell to EVs (although the Tesla Model 3 is also hugely influential).
“Crucially, this landmark has been achieved by Lucid’s world-leading in-house EV technology, not by simply installing an oversize battery pack.”
Several other versions of the Lucid Air have also received their official EPA range ratings, including the Dream Edition Performance and Grand Touring versions on both 19- and 21-inch wheels.
Taken as a whole, these Lucid Air models now occupy the top six positions for overall EPA range ratings among all EVs, as well as the highest MPGe ratings in the Large vehicle class. Click here to see the ratings on the EPA website.
The 828kW Dream Edition Performance – also US$169,000 – gets 471 miles (758 km), while the $139,000 ($191,300) Grand Touring achieves 516 miles (830 km).
Both the US$77,400 ($106,500) Pure and US$95,000 ($130,745) Touring are projected to rate 406 miles (653km), just pipping the best Tesla result. But this has not been confirmed by the EPA.
Both versions of the Air Dream Edition have sold out, with first deliveries from a new plant in Arizona due before the end of 2022. Deliveries of lesser Airs begin in 2022.
The Pure and Touring come standard with 357kW single motor drivetrains and rear-wheel drive while the upper model are dual-motor drivetrain all-wheel drive.
Battery capacity varies from 88kWh to 113kWh. A 900-volt electrical system provides ultra-fast charging ability.
