Since its reveal, The Lucid Air Dream Edition has caused quite a stir across the automotive industry – specifically, due to it’s impressive driving range. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Lucid Air EV has an estimated driving range of 520 miles (837 kilometres) on a full charge. Not only is this a longer range than other EVs on the market, it’s also better range than most gas-powered vehicles offer.
But according to Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s Chief Executive, that’s not even the most notable feature of the new EV. First and foremost, it’s important to recognize that there is a significant cost attached to that impressive range – Rawlinson shares that the Lucid Air sedan starts at US$74,000, while the Dream Edition starts at US$169,000. So while the increased range represents an exciting moment in the EV market, the Lucid Air isn’t necessarily affordable to the masses; yet, at least.
This is where things get interesting, according to Rawlinson. With the significantly enhanced energy efficiency of the Lucid Air, electric vehicles will become “accessible at all price ranges”. When looking at this efficiency, the 520 mile version of the Lucid Air has a miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of 125. Comparatively, the Lucid Air Grand Touring has a range of 516 miles and an MPGe of 131, while the Porsche Taycan Turbo has an MPGe of just 73.
Rawlinson notes that, currently, one of his side projects is “applying some of the efficiency tricks used at Lucid to something he calls the T21, meaning “the Model T for the 21st century”. In simple terms, this project aims to create a car with a fairly long driving range that almost anyone can afford. Specifically, Rawlinson hopes to utilize a battery pack that weighs about 275 pounds (125 kilograms), which could take the car 240km, making it both efficient and affordable for current and prospective EV drivers.
Just how affordable, you might wonder? According to Rawlinson, a US$20,000 EV is the ultimate goal.
