In some ways, the Air’s one-upping nature is no surprise: Rawlinson was chief engineer on the Model S before leaving Tesla. Importantly, the Lucid has demonstrated that 500-mile-plus range and efficiency in real-world testing, versus the Tesla that consistently falls short. It also beats the Tesla’s maximum 120 mpge rating.
A Grand Touring edition with 19-inch wheels earns a 131 mpge rating, or 38-percent better mileage than a Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 sedan (at 95 mpge). Instead, Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s founder and chief executive, has become famous for his obsessive focus on electric efficiency.
Almost any driver will need a recharge of their own after that much driving. The key to that range-enough for roughly seven highway hours at an average 70 mph-is not simply a giant battery pack though the Air Dream’s 22 modules, 6,600 cylindrical lithium-ion cells and 118-kilowatt-hour capacity certainly qualify as “big.” With 520 miles of range, the Air can ride from New York City to Cleveland, Chicago to Kansas City, or Los Angeles to San Francisco without having to stop or a charge. The previous EPA record holder, the Tesla Model S Long Range, is rated for 408. The Lucid is the longest-ranging EV in automotive history, with up to 520 miles of stamina.