(September 22, 2021) LOS ANGELES — Lucid Motors said last week that it has delivered on its promise of industry-leading range for the launch edition of its Air electric sedan, which has been rated by the EPA at 520 miles for the range-focused model. That beats the Tesla Model S Long Range — the current range champ with a 405-mile EPA rating. The Tesla costs far less at $89,990 excluding shipping, although Lucid plans to offer less-expensive trims with about 400 miles of range.

Lucid's 520-mile model is the $169,000 Lucid Air Dream Edition Range with 19-inch wheels and 933 horsepower, Lucid said. The other launch model, the Dream Edition Performance, achieved an EPA range of 451 miles with 21-inch wheels and 1,111 horsepower. Lucid has not announced shipping charges, and Tesla's charges vary by shipping method.

Deliveries of the Air Dream Edition have been delayed from the first half to the second half of this year. Lucid said in June that it is nearing production builds at its Arizona factory.

"I'm delighted that our Lucid Air Dream Edition Range has been officially accredited with a range of 520 miles by the EPA, a number I believe to be a new record for any EV," said CEO Peter Rawlinson. "Crucially, this landmark has been achieved by Lucid's world-leading in-house EV technology, not by simply installing an oversize battery pack."

In addition to official EPA ratings, Lucid invited Motor Trend reviewers for a test drive that took them from Los Angeles to the Bay Area on a 445-mile route in August. Both the Motor Trend vehicle an identical Lucid vehicle with Rawlinson on board had range to spare upon arrival, according to the automaker.

Lucid also said Thursday that the Air Grand Touring trim with 19-inch wheels and 800 hp achieved an EPA range of 516 miles. With bigger 21-inch wheels, that fell to 469 miles. The Grand Touring starts at $139,000, excluding shipping. Lucid estimates that its future Air Pure trim will have about 400 miles of range with a price of $77,400.

Lucid has said it pre-sold all 500 of the Dream Edition model and has 10,000 reservations for future versions of the Air coming this year and next year.

Source: Automotive News