BEV Start-Up Lucid Prepares for First Customer Deliveries

Lucid Group announces it will begin deliveries of its Lucid Air Dream Edition luxury battery-electric vehicles on Saturday in California.

The event follows the start-up’s production launch last month at Lucid’s factory in Casa Grande, AZ, which the company calls the first greenfield, dedicated EV manufacturing facility in North America.

The limited-run Dream Edition features a 118-kWh battery pack and delivers up to 1,111 hp and 520 miles (837 km) of range on a single charge. Lucid says this is the longest range of any car tested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It also develops a combined 1,025 lb.-ft. (1,390 Nm) of torque.

All Dream Edition models are equipped with a battery pack featuring 22 modules totaling 6,600 cells. It delivers 4.4 miles (7 km) per kWh, which the company says is surpassed only by another version of Lucid Air, the Grand Touring, which features a 112-kWh battery pack and achieves 4.6 miles per kWh.

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The Dream Edition Performance model achieves a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of just 2.41 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 9.67 seconds (with the 21-in. wheel and tire package) while still capable of an EPA-estimated 471 miles (758 km) of range.

Top speed for the Dream Edition, Dream Edition Performance and Grand Touring models is 168 mph (270 km/h).

Newark, CA-based Lucid plans to deliver 520 customer-configured Lucid Air Dream Editions this year, followed by deliveries of Lucid Air Grand Touring versions. Touring and Pure models are anticipated for delivery to customers during 2022.

Saturday’s delivery program will include what the BEV manufacturer calls the Lucid Rally, “hosted by members of the company’s leadership team on a route that showcases the vehicle’s standout ride, handling and performance capabilities.”

Says Peter Rawlinson, Lucid Group CEO and chief technological officer: “Creating the Lucid Air has truly been a labor of love, with customer deliveries representing the culmination of years of endeavor from the entire Lucid team. So, I’m truly excited to hand the keys to our first dear customers and accompany them on an inaugural drive through the iconic California countryside.”

Lucid did not disclose pricing, but the company said in September 2020 that the limited-volume Air Dream Edition would cost $161,500; Air Grand Touring, $131,500; Touring, $80,500; and Pure, $72,500. All prices include a potential $7,500 federal tax credit for U.S. buyers.