Lucid Paints A Target On Tesla Model 3 And Model Y's Backs

Jul. 03, 2023 11:27 AM ET byJarryd Neves Electric Vehicles /4 Comments

But first, the company needs to finish up work on the Air Sapphire and Gravity SUV.

Lucid Motors is planning new, affordable models with which to take on theTesla Model 3and Model Y. The American automaker recently entered an agreement to supplyAston Martin with electric powertrain components, but company CEO Peter Rawlinson is already focused on what comes next. Speaking withAuto Express, Rawlinson shared some interesting tidbits about future models - including rivals to Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y.

Once the all-new Gravity SUV arrives inthe second half of 2025, Lucid intends to hit Tesla where it hurts. "After Gravity, we're going to do Model 3 and Model Y competitors. We think around $50,000, maybe $48,000 - something like that. It's too early to say, but that's the vision."

This would bring Lucid ownership within reach of customers who can't afford the $87,500 required to purchase theAirluxury sedan. When questioned about manufacturing right-hand drive vehicles, Rawlinson said Lucid would love to cater to more markets but is currently focused on getting the Air Sapphire to market.

Lucid

"Oh, man, I'd love to," said Rawlinson when asked about RHD production. "But it's a matter of engineering priorities. We are slammed - we've got to get Sapphire out this year." The Air Sapphire isthe range-topping performance versionof the sedan. With more than 1,200 horsepower on tap, Lucid originally claimed the vehicle could hit 60 mph in less than two seconds. However, Rawlinson says testing shows the vehicle can hit the benchmark speed in 1.89 seconds.

首席执行官suggested Lucid could outsource RHD production to an independent engineering company.

But the automaker has its hands full at the moment. Rawlinson is relentlessly pursuing improved efficiency. But instead of offering bigger batteries and more range, Lucid wants to match supreme efficiency with consumer needs.

"The biggest impact on the mass market car will be with smaller battery packs. My vision is could we get to six miles per kilowatt-hour? We're at 4.6 now," said Rawlinson.

Lucid

"Could we get to six miles per kilowatt-hour with a fast-charging infrastructure, with overnight charging? The electric car of the future only needs 250 miles. We don't need 500-mile cars in the future, 10 years from now," added the CEO.

Rawlinson explained that if the company could achieve six miles per kWh, one would only need a 25 kWh battery pack to achieve 150 miles of range. This would cost approximately $4,000 to produce. "That's what we need to make a $25,000 car and that's what the environment and the world needs urgently to get masses into electric cars. You need the $25,000 car."

However, don't expect Lucid to take the plunge and produce an affordable EV. "No. It's a horrible thing to be making." Lucid could provide components for that vehicle, though. But Rawlinson doesn't want to get carried away.

"It's really important not to get ahead of ourselves here. For now, we've got the to-die-for partner in Aston Martin. Holy crap - it's wonderful, isn't it?"

Lucid

Speaking of Lucid's technology-sharing agreement with Aston Martin, Rawlinson is very excited about the deal. He explains that the company rests on three pillars. "There [are] our cars, and there's going to be energy storage and then technology licensing transfer supply."

The idea was seemingly inspired by Intel's "Intel Inside" sticker that you see on various laptops, referring to the CPU. "There's an Intel Inside logo on many computers and it'd be lovely to see 'Lucid Insise' on cars, too." We probably won't be seeing that on future Aston Martins, though.

When asked whether he is worried about helping a rival brand in the electric sphere, Rawlinson said, "Not at all," adding that he believes Lucid and Aston Martin are not traditional competitors. "I'm flattered people think it's a $200,000 car, but Aston Martin is in a different echelon of the marketplace, above us. So it's not like we're giving away our technology to a competitor at all. It's completely complimentary."

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Lucid Paints A Target On Tesla Model 3 And Model Y's Backs

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