An electrical Lucid pickup could also be a pipe dream, in spite of everything. Lucid (LCID) CEO Peter Rawlinson mentioned it’s “very robust to make an electrical pickup work at present.” At the least, not one which’s usable and cost-effective. Right here’s why.
Lucid revealed a number of new improvements throughout its Tech and Manufacturing Day on Tuesday. The corporate introduced its second EV, the Gravity SUV, will characteristic an NACS port in 2025.
Maybe, extra importantly, it is going to unlock “mass financial savings” as Lucid expands the model. Lucid already has a “important expertise benefit,” as the corporate claims it will take a few years for the closest competitor to match them.
With the 2025 Air Pure being the “world’s most energy-efficient manufacturing car,” Lucid is strolling the discuss.
Powered by an 84 kWh battery pack, the 2025 Lucid Air Pure has an EPA-estimated driving vary of 420 miles. That quantities to a document vitality effectivity of 5 miles per kWh.
The Gravity is about to speed up Lucid’s tech management. With an as much as 924V structure, Lucid says its electrical SUV would be the fastest-charging EV in the marketplace.
Lucid additionally launched its new Atlas drive unit on Tuesday. The subsequent-gen unit will energy its lower-cost midsize EV platform, which is able to launch in 2026.
A new teaser dropped throughout Tech and Manufacturing Day gave us a more in-depth take a look at Lucid’s midsize electrical crossover SUV. Lucid mentioned the midsize crossover will begin at below $50,000.
Lucid advised Electrek there shall be three electrical fashions based mostly on the midsize platform, together with a crossover and a sedan. The third may very well be an off-road mannequin however don’t anticipate a Lucid electrical pickup anytime quickly.
Is Lucid planning an electrical pickup? It’s unlikely
Throughout Tuesday’s occasion, Rawlinson highlighted how the corporate would minimize prices because it scales manufacturing.
Though prices and effectivity are the primary focus, so is “product selection,” in response to Rawlinson. Lucid’s CEO mentioned, “It’s very robust to make an electrical pickup work at present,” including, “not one which’s usable and cost-effective.”
Rawlinson defined a typical EV pickup truck’s effectivity is round 2.5 miles per kWh. Even with Lucid’s superior tech, pushing it over 2.7 miles per kWh shall be arduous.
If you would like a 300-mile vary pickup, you might be already pushing a 120 kWh battery pack. Based on Rawlinson, the battery pack will value $15,360. For 375 miles of vary, a 150 kWh battery is required, which prices $19,000 to $20,000.
Even that isn’t sufficient energy, in response to Rawlinson. Some electrical pickups in the marketplace at present have over 240 kWh battery packs. Rams’ first electrical pickup, the Ram 1500 REV, has an optionally available 229 kWh pack, offering as much as 500 miles of vary.
Lucid’s CEO requested, “How are you going to make a enterprise case?” It’s arduous to when the battery pack prices $50,000 to $60,000.
Rawlinson concluded, “I don’t need Lucid to start out eager about a pickup.” To take action, a “profound enchancment” in cell chemistry is required.
