Lucid Motors: Elon Musk's Biggest Rival in the Electric Vehicle Race

The Rise of a New EV Giant

It's no secret that I've been a major Tesla fanboy ever since I first drove their Model S back in 2014. The introduction of the Ludicrous mode left me utterly blown away by the jaw-dropping acceleration of that car – 0-60 in under 3 seconds, in an all-electric vehicle. As a self-proclaimed petrolhead, it was almost a spiritual experience, and I was convinced that Tesla would become the most groundbreaking car company in America, and perhaps the entire world. And looking at Tesla's growth since then, I wasn't wrong at all.

Until I drove the new kid on the block earlier this month. If you've read the title of this article, you already know which car I'm referring to – the Lucid Motors Lucid Air. A friend of mine had just taken delivery of one of the first Lucid Air Dream Edition models, and he invited me over to test it out. Now, I had seen plenty of pictures of the new car, heard a lot about its performance pedigree, and even seen reviews from automotive experts who had test-driven the vehicle before its launch. But nothing could have prepared me for the experience I was about to have.

Lucid Motors: A Disruptive Force in the EV Landscape

Lucid Motors is by no means a new company. It was founded way back in 2007, initially under the name Ativa, before rebranding as Lucid Motors in 2016. In its early days, the company was mostly focused on manufacturing batteries and powertrains for other electric vehicle manufacturers. But two key personnel changes in 2013 and 2015 would see this small, California-headquartered company transform into a full-fledged electric vehicle manufacturer.

The first was the addition of Peter Rawlinson, who joined the company in 2013 as its Chief Technology Officer. Prior to this role, Rawlinson had served as the Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, responsible for the development and delivery of the first Tesla Model S. The second key personnel change was the arrival of Derek Jenkins, a renowned automotive designer who had previously worked at Mazda and joined Lucid Motors as the Senior Vice President of Design and Brand in 2015.

These two industry veterans would take the company out of obscurity, and by late 2016, Lucid Motors had rebranded and announced the development of its first production all-electric car – the Lucid Air.

The Lucid Air: A Game-Changer in the EV Segment

The Lucid Air is a full-size luxury sedan that has been designed from the ground up as an all-electric vehicle, and it shows. With an EPA-estimated range of up to 520 miles on a single charge and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just under 2.5 seconds, the Lucid Air is a true performance powerhouse. But the real magic lies in the technological innovations that drive this car's performance.

One of the most impressive feats of the Lucid Air is its efficiency. The company claims that the Lucid Air is 40% more efficient than any other electric car on the road today, and it can travel 17 miles further than a Tesla Model S Long Range for the same battery pack size. This is due to Lucid's efforts in improving the layout and cooling systems of the battery pack, allowing them to extract 4.6 miles per kilowatt-hour – 15% more efficient than the Tesla Model S Long Range.

But the Lucid Air's performance credentials go beyond just efficiency. The car's powertrain, officially called the "Pure Flux" inverter and transmission unit, is a marvel of engineering. Weighing in at just 163 pounds, this vertically arranged powertrain can deliver an astounding 670 horsepower and 4,400 pound-feet of torque – performance figures that are getting into the realm of high-end sports cars and even Formula 1 vehicles.

This incredible performance is made possible by the Lucid Air's permanent magnet synchronous motors, which can spin up to 20,000 rpm on both the front and rear of the vehicle. This prevents a phenomenon called "torque clogging," allowing the powertrain to deliver its full performance potential. The Lucid Air's Dream Performance Edition, with its dual-motor configuration, can even cover a quarter-mile in just 9.8 seconds – a truly mind-blowing feat for a luxury sedan.

Lucid Air: Redefining Handling and Autonomous Capabilities

But the Lucid Air's impressive performance is not just about raw power and acceleration. The car's handling characteristics are equally impressive, with a weight distribution and suspension system that provide exceptional stability and control, even at high speeds.

From the driver-focused, comfortable cockpit to the four-corner suspension system, the Lucid Air feels like it was built for the racetrack. During my test drives, I never once felt like I was going to lose control, even when pushing the car to its limits around tight corners.

And the Lucid Air's technological prowess doesn't stop at its powertrain and handling. The car also features a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, known as the "DreamDrive" system. This system integrates 32 sensors, including cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and high-resolution lidar, to provide a wide range of autonomous functions.

While Lucid has not yet announced anything as advanced as Tesla's Dojo chip or its neural network program, the sheer number of sensors on the Lucid Air suggests that the company has big plans for the future of autonomous driving. It's clear that Lucid is not just focused on raw performance, but also on building a technologically advanced, feature-rich vehicle that can compete with the best in the industry.

A Formidable Rival for Tesla

After spending more time behind the wheel of the Lucid Air, I can confidently say that there is nothing about this car that I don't like. From its stunning design and aerodynamic efficiency to its impressive performance and advanced technology, the Lucid Air is a true game-changer in the electric vehicle market.

And the numbers speak for themselves. Lucid Motors went public in early 2021 at a valuation of $24 billion, and within a few months, its valuation had surpassed that of industry giants like General Motors and Ford. With over 25,000 orders in 2022 – a figure that's expected to double next year – Lucid Motors is clearly on a trajectory to become a major player in the global EV market.

If Rawlinson, Jenkins, and the rest of the Lucid Motors team continue to deliver on their promises, I can definitely see the Lucid Air becoming a formidable rival to Tesla, not only in the domestic U.S. market but also globally, within the next five years. And if I can draw this conclusion, I'm sure that Elon Musk and the team at Tesla have already recognized this challenge and are preparing to take it on.

Conclusion

The Lucid Air is a truly remarkable electric vehicle, and it's clear that Lucid Motors is a disruptive force in the EV landscape. With its impressive performance, efficiency, handling, and technological capabilities, the Lucid Air has the potential to shake up the industry and become a serious contender for Tesla's crown.

If you get the chance to experience the Lucid Air for yourself, I highly recommend it. And if you've already had the opportunity, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree that Tesla should be taking this new challenger seriously? Let me know in the comments below.