Lucid Air Has 1 Huge Advantage Over All Tesla Models
In its short existence, the Lucid Air electric sports sedan has already generated a great deal of positive buzz, including earning the illustrious 2022 MotorTrend Car of the Year Award. While Tesla still dominates the EV segment, the Lucid Air has a crucial advantage. It’s better than all Tesla models in one key area: driving range.
Lucid Air has a higher driving range than all Tesla models
EVs have many positive attributes, but a significant concern for many of them is their low driving range compared to gas-powered vehicles. This leads to range anxiety — or the fear of running out of battery power before making it back home or reaching a charging station.
However, with the Lucid Air electric sports sedan, this range anxiety is alleviated. It has an estimated driving range of up to 520 miles. This is a higher driving range than all Tesla models — and the highest range for a production electric car.
Maximum driving range estimates:
- Lucid Air: 520 miles
- Tesla Model S: 405 miles
- Tesla Model 3: 358 miles
- Tesla Model X: 351 miles
- Tesla Model Y: 330 miles
As you can see, no Tesla model comes close to matching the 520 miles of driving range for the Lucid Air. The Tesla model with the highest driving range is the Model S sports sedan, with an estimated range of up to 405 miles.
Why is the driving range of the Lucid Air so high?
While the driving range of new EVs has been creeping upward in recent years, not many have over 400 miles of range — let alone 500 miles. So, how did Lucid get such a high range for the Air?
For one, Lucid engineered the Air with a focus on efficiency, with an estimated fuel economy of up to 131 combined MPGe. And a higher fuel economy translates to a higher driving range.
Lucid did a number of things to increase fuel economy and range. This includes designing the Air with an aerodynamic shape to reduce drag — especially at higher speeds. Also, the Air has a “miniaturized, in-house designed powertrain.” Furthermore, the high range of the Air is aided by its large 112.0-kWh battery pack.
In addition to its high driving range and fuel economy, the Air has fast-charging capabilities. It can add 300 miles of range in 20 minutes. Plus, the Air provides complimentary fast-charging at Electrify America charging stations for three years.
Lucid Air also rivals the Tesla Model S for performance
Along with it besting Tesla models for driving range, the Lucid Air sports sedan also rivals them for performance, including the Tesla Model S. The Model S Plaid, the ultra-performance trim, churns out 1,020 horsepower, has a top speed of 200 mph, and can go from 0-60 mph in 1.99 seconds.
For the 2023 model year, Lucid unveiled the Air Sapphire, its own ultra-performance model with jaw-dropping specs. The Air Sapphire doles out over 1200 horsepower, which makes it the most powerful production sedan ever built. Lucid also claims that the Air Sapphire has a top speed of well over 200 mph and achieves the 0-60 mph sprint in less than two seconds.
Considering that the production of the Lucid Air only started in 2021, it’s very impressive that it stands up very well to Tesla models, including the flagship Model S. We’ll have to see how Tesla responds. Will it offer electric models in the future that can top the 520-mile driving range of the Air?
