Lucid Motors just shocked the EV space with a claim that its upcoming Air electric car will reach 517 miles based on the US EPA testing standards. Yes, you read that right, this is not another crazy announcement that touts varies, but hides the fact that it was tested via a different, more forgiving system.
Over the years, we have read one headline after another about upcoming electric cars with a lot of range. Within the article, however, it typically says “WLTP” or “NEDC” range. Sometimes, it says through independent tests. Other times, there are no details on how the range was tested. Almost always, these cars come on the market with significantly less EPA range than advertised than expected.
When the Lucid Air launches with a whopping 517 miles of EPA range, it will be an epic feat. Heck, even if it comes on the market with 100 miles less, it still exists the Tesla Model S, which has significantly more range than current EV, as well as any production EV ever built.
The EPA has not officially tested the Lucid Air, but is waiting. Do not doubt the reach number yet. Lucid had the car tested FEV North America Inc. in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The reputable company uses strict EPA standards to perform the test. It is also important to note that the results of FEV have a reputation for being accurate and consistent with the EPA test. Many motorists rely on testing the company. In addition, Lucid’s own range of tests and computer models both fit closely with the results of FEV.
With that said, there are many people who simply do not trust or rely on the EPA’s reach test. Typically, the real range of a car is about 20 percent lower than the EPA estimate. We believe it is important to perform real world tests for this reason.
Fortunately Bloomberg could test the true range of the Lucid Air. To make it even more interesting, it also secured a Tesla Model S Long Range Plus and a Porsche Taycan Turbo S. The publication fully charged all three cars and then set out to drive them in convoy until the batteries ran out of juice.
The results were as follows:
- Light air: 456 miles (Estimated EPA Range: 517 miles)
- Tesla Model S: 355 miles (EPA Range: 402 miles)
- Porsche Taycan: 236 miles (EPA Range: 192 miles)
Despite the above, we know full well that some people will play handball against Lucid and his range test. We can hear it now. Who this WLTP? Did they use NEDC? The EPA is not testing the Lucid Air, so how can it already have an EPA estimated range? People may also criticize Bloomberg’s real world testing. This must be fake. Bloomberg is out to get Tesla. The doubts and comments will go on and on, and the only way to know for sure is to wait until the EPA tests the air to see if the results match.
We can only hope that EV adopters and Tesla fans will be proud and impressed by Lucid. This is a great achievement in the EV space that deserves a round of applause. We cheerleading for all the EVs, and we waited for the day that a car would arrive to finally push the limits to reach. Tesla has so far proved impossible to catch. The Model S, which debuted in 2012, is years ahead of competitors in the EV sector.
There are many details in the Bloomberg article that we do not deal with here. Click on the source link below for full details.
Lucid will unveil official specs for the Air this September 2020. It aims to begin deliveries in the spring of 2021.
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