TA.b Quickie - Lucid Motors begins deliveries of the Air Dream Edition EVs

Lucid has begun deliveries of its first EV, the Air Dream Edition and yes the first cars are loaded with everything but the kitchen sink. Lucid made headlines with the Air Dream Edition models that were the first EPA-rated EVs to exceed 500 miles of range (520 mile-range for the Dream Edition Range model with 19-inch wheels). Looks like the Tesla Model S has some strong competition. Of course it doesn't hurt that the Air models are a new design and the Model S is getting a little long-in-the-tooth (few design changes in almost a decade). Of course many will argue that if you design it right, you don't need updates but that had less meaning when there was no competition. Admittedly, the Lucid Air is more expensive than the Model S but it looks and acts more expensive. In fact it has been reported that the Air Dream Edition's competition is in fact the Model S Plaid due in part to the Air Dream Edition's 1,110 hp and and 0-60 time of 2.42 seconds. And the pricing is much closer, but the Lucid Air looks to be a better deal when comparing fitments, etc. It's great to see the EV market continue to grow. For more info, click on "read more" below to view the media release and a "We are Lucid" video. The first 500+ vehicles are being delivered and the Grand Touring and Pure Air models will follow.

Source: Lucid Motors - Media release, pics,

Lucid Air Dream Edition R EV has an EPA-rated range of more than 500 miles

Lucid has received the official EPA-ratings for the Dream Edition of the Air luxury EV sedan and they are amazing. The top Lucid Air Dream Edition R has been range rated at 520 miles for the 933 hp model with 19-inch wheels. Also amazingly the EPA ratings for the other Air models have range ratings of no less than 400 miles which puts the Lucid Air ahead of the competition...for now. (Check out the range ratings chart after the jump.) “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. Crucially, this landmark has been achieved by Lucid’s world-leading, in-house EV technology, not by simply installing an oversize battery pack,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Group. “Our race-proven 900V battery and BMS technology, our miniaturized drive units, coupled with our Wunderbox technology endow Lucid Air with ultra-high efficiency, enabling it to travel more miles from less battery energy. The next generation EV has truly arrived!” Blustering aside, this is a remarkable outcome for one of the first premium luxury EVs to hit the market. Click on "read more" below to view the media release and a drive video by the Lucid CEO. Prices start north of $75k and go up from there.

Source: Lucid Motors - Media Release, pics, and video

Lucid Motors opens Lucid Air Studio in Manhattan

Some may wonder why I made this post since most previous posts were more product-specific. This is important to show that another from-the-ground-up EV start-up has made it past the development stage. Lucid Motors Air luxury sedan has gotten excellent reviews in first drives and full test drives with a unanimous declaration that the Air is a true Tesla Model S competitor.  Some have gone so far as to say that the Model S Plaid is a direst response to the most powerful Air sedan (both cars claim more than 1,000 hp). But this is good news for everyone. This means that our EV futures are looking very bright indeed. The design (Manhattan facility below) of the Lucid Air Studio reflects their expected customer with the studio looking for all the world like a high-end clothier or interior design location. Lucid Motors expects to open twelve of these locations across the country in cities like Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, Long Island, Boston, San Diego, and the D.C. Metro area. It looks like Lucid Motors is expecting to remain a high-end luxury purveyor of battery-electric vehicles. To view the brief media release and a first-drive video with Lucid's CEO Rawlinson, click on "read more" below. Expect to see the Air sedan on streets soon. Watch out Tesla.

Source: Lucid - Media release, pics, and video

TA.b Here ya go - 12A-20 AKA John Cooper Works Mini gets electric

This falls into the "well duh" category. BMW's Mini division is developing an electric platform to support the brand's JCW (John Cooper Works) performance models (I'm sure BMW would "borrow" the platform for its own use as well). With Tesla and other automaker's EV sedans and crossovers shaming supercars with better performance and better efficiency to boot, this is an easy to understand development. Can't wait to see the first electric JCW Minis. Brief media release and additional pic after the "read more" jump.

Source: Mini/BMW - Media release and pic

Below are the "Here ya go" articles of interest to me and hopefully you. First off, we have articles about Tesla's possible merger (won't happen,.,for now) with another automaker (and third article). The article includes various car companies' valuations. Interesting. The fourth article talks about the expanding charging infrastructure for Semis and so on and so on... Click to enjoy.

Tesla open to merging - Electrek

Possible that Tesla would acquire legacy automaker - Clean Technica

City of Portland and Daimler create "charging island" for Semis - ElectreK

LG Chem to double battery output for Tesla - Inside EVs

Robotics maker receives order of "bots" to produce VW iD Buzz - Inside EVs

Lucid hits major production milestone - Teslarati

Lucid announces "base" Air sedan for under $70k*

 

At this juncture, it's easy to ask, "Why are they releasing this now?" The entire line was introduced just last month, (previous post) which included some info on the "base" Air sedan. Since Tesla just reduced prices on the Model S, maybe Lucid wanted to tie folks up with their competitive sedan. The base Air has a range in excess of 400 miles (EPA range numbers to come) and has 480 horses. While some EVs are heavy due to their battery packs, 480 hp should move the Air along quite nicely (remember the Dream Edition Air has over 1,000 hp). The Air is a looker with lines that emphasize air flow even when standing still.  If there is any portion of the design of the Air that I question, it is the short rear clip that seems to suggest that the whole tail section comes up to access the trunk/storage. We shall see. Remember that first deliveries of the Air sedan won't take place until early next year and according to the first media release, the base Air won't come to market until 2022. Maybe time tables are moving up. So for your $300 reservation fee, you can order your Air sedan at a price of $77,400 which drops to $69,900* when the $7,500 Federal Tax credit is deducted from the price. So if this looks like this could be your EV luxury sedan, go to Lucid's reservation website and design your Air and place your order today. Early reservation holders will get three-years of free charging on Electrify America.

Source: Lucid - Pics and media release - Previous post

TA.b - EV talk 9.20 - Update

I haven't posted an EV musing in a while, so here goes. I will post rumors, facts, and opinions regarding the EV marketplace today.

A good one (with media release after the "read more" jump) is that the Polestar Precept "commitment car" will enter production. The Precept is intended to compete with the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air luxury sedans. As you can see from the above pic, the Precept is an attractive vehicle that should do well in the marketplace. No specs were released, but the Polestar 2 sedan that is currently available is a competitive EV entry, so the Precept should have decent bona fides. In fact, Polestar is building a new facility for Precept production, so availability is a ways off. Check back as more info is released.

Early (serious) EVs that entered the market, were higher-end, proof-of-concept models for the most part and they have done their jobs. After Tesla set the EV standards. others have rushed in to grab a "slice of the pie" often with sub-par entries. But the one thing Tesla accomplished was to prove that EVs were viable alternatives to ICE (internal-combustion engine) vehicles. EVs are also cheaper to run than ICE vehicles (see Consumer Reports) and create almost zero pollution depending on where the electricity is generated. At some point in the near future, all new vehicles will be either EVs or battery-electric vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids). One positive note regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, was the fact that every city that locked down, saw air pollution drop dramatically. Here in California it was very dramatic and was noted by the International Space Station as the difference was that noticeable. And let's not forget the effect EVs have and will have on climate change. Climate change is responsible for the incredible heat we've been having in California that has spurred on the numerous wildfires. And as the smoke drifts eastward, the fires will effect the whole country if not the world.

Speaking of Tesla, one thing that Tesla did right that others are just realizing is the fact that batteries and battery technology is important and can't be left for others to develop. Tesla creates most of its own batteries (sometimes built by others under license) and has purchased battery development companies to improve battery tech. Tesla's recent battery day reveal showcased their latest developments that should reduce cost and allow for less expensive models (like the smaller vehicles planned for production in China and Germany). VW's new ID 4 SUV will hit the market by the end of the year here in the US, but VW won't bring the compact ID 3 here. Big mistake. Why do automakers ask dealers what they want? Dealers only want big vehicles with big profit margins and to be honest, most don't know how to service or sell EVs. That will change with pressure from manufacturers and when dealers realize that consumers are going elsewhere to get what they want, not what the dealer wants to sell.

One thing I want to remind people is that an electric motor is a powerplant option just like gas or diesel. Folks shouldn't be so threatened by EV adoption. That is unless they have financial ties to the oil and gas industries. Some folks are reluctant to learn new things like KWh, Nm, and charging rates instead of horsepower and torque. And remember that as more green energy alternatives create more of our power needs, oil companies could have invested in new energy sources, but chose not to...at least in the beginning. "May we live in interesting times" indeed. More to come...

Sources: Various

Lucid Motors unveils the all-new Air luxury EV sedan

Lucid Motors has announced the birth of their first baby, the Lucid Air. (An SUV will follow.) This luxury sedan is electrified and electrifying, with the EV (electric vehicle) boasting more than 1000 hp when equipped as the limited "Dream Edition" that will be the first model hitting the streets in early 2021. Subsequent models will be rolled out after the Air Dream Edition arrives. Lucid Air models will come with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that can run the quarter mile in under 10 seconds and hit 60 from a standstill in 2.5 seconds with an EPA estimated range of more than 500 miles (Dream Edition). Step down one notch and the Air Grand Touring will feature 800 hp, a 500-mile range, and hit 60 in 3 seconds. The Air Touring features 620, hp, hit 60 in 3.2 seconds, and have 406 mile range. All numbers are not official, but show just how fast and efficient this all-new vehicle can be. Numbers for the "base" Air have yet to be determined since this model won't arrive until 2022. The Lucid Air comes with all the kit you could image and some you haven't thought of (see media release after the "read more" jump). Lucid Air's battery pack has been "race proven" and features top-of-the-class fast charging (300 miles of range in 20 minutes). Let's be honest, things change quickly in the EV marketplace, so stay tuned for more info closer to the Air Dream Edition's debut early next year. BTW: Prices start in the six-figure range and since Lucid is a new company, their vehicles do qualify for federal and state tax rebates which can lower the point of entry somewhat.  Lucid Motors is taking $7,500 deposits for Dream Edition models and $1,000 deposits for all other trim levels. Interested? Got the wallet? Then order yours now. Also, there is a specification chart after the jump (towards the end of the release) to help you decide which Air you want.

Source: Lucid Motors- Pics, specifications chart, and media release