Lucid Raises the Bar on Efficiency Expectations
By Edward A. Sanchez – Sept. 16, 2021
In the EV space, for arguably the last five years, it was Tesla and everyone else. Other entries generally didn’t come close to the bar Tesla set for powertrain and vehicle platform technology, as well as energy efficiency. Even today, Tesla is near class-leading for range and efficiency (whether measured in the somewhat antiquated “MPGe” metric or kWh/100 miles. While Tesla retains the distinction of being near top-of-class for efficiency, it must cede the crown in the premium sedan space, at least for now, to Lucid.
The official EPA figures for the Lucid Air range have just been released, and for a vehicle of its size and performance, they are undeniably impressive. Topping the leaderboard in terms of overall efficiency is the Air Grand Touring AWD with 19-inch wheels, coming in at 131 MPGe combined, or 26 kWh/100 miles, with a range of 516 miles. Although slightly less efficient, the Air Range model with 19-inch wheels comes in at 125 MPGe, 27 kWh/100 miles, and an official range of 520 miles.
I can hear the Tesla fan boys and girls calling a timeout already, claiming the latest Model 3 SR+ tops it at 142 MPGe, 24 kWh/100 miles. True. But let’s be fair to Lucid and try to make this as much of an apples-to-apples comparison as possible.
Is the Lucid Air the new king of the EV castle? When it comes to efficiency, the answer is most certainly yes.
The Air is larger, heavier, and substantially more powerful than the Model 3. Its most direct equivalent in the Tesla lineup is the Model S. On that basis, the Air still comes out on top in almost all measures of range and efficiency.
Let’s take the two “hottest” examples, the Lucid Air Dream Performance with 21-inch wheels, and the Model S Plaid with 21s. The Dream Performance comes in at 111 MPGe combined, or 30 kWh/100 miles, with 451 miles of range. The Plaid registers 101 MPGe combined, or 33 kWh/100 miles, and 348 miles of range.
With Lucid’s EPA figures now official, it’s time many Tesla fans take a fresh look at the competition.
I am a Tesla owner, and generally, a fan of the company and its direction. But the EV market is highly dynamic. And while Tesla had a nearly decade-long head start in the segment, the company is no longer a party of one in terms of advanced EVs.
Hopefully Tesla boss Elon Musk will be gracious toward his former colleague and current Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson, and not resort to childish “pedo guy” playground taunts. In all honesty, the winner in this rivalry is us, the consumer. You can bet Tesla will go back to the drawing board in terms of improving overall efficiency and/or range, and customers get a compelling, (and yoke-free) alternative to the Model S.
Some may be put off by the Saudi Arabia Sovereign Wealth Fund’s investment in Lucid, and all the perceived baggage that comes with it. The investment world is a fluid and dynamic place, and it’s unknown how long Lucid will have that affiliation, or exactly how influential the Saudis are on Lucid’s board.
Personally, I’m willing to look at Lucid’s accomplishments objectively, purely through the lens of engineering, and there’s no question this is an impressive accomplishment.
(Images courtesy Lucid Motors)
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