WE DROVE THE LUCID AIR GT ACROSS AMERICA! STRATEGY, CHARGING, RUNNING OUT OF JUICE, & MORE STORIES

EV Channels Review

The Lucid Air Grand Touring was put to the ultimate test in this cross-country EV race, showcasing its impressive range capabilities but also highlighting its challenges at higher speeds and with charging infrastructure. The team initially leveraged the car's substantial range, achieving over 300 miles on the first leg. However, the Lucid Air proved less efficient than expected when pushed at speeds above 70 mph, significantly impacting its range. The team's strategy, informed by Lucid engineers, involved targeting 0% state of charge arrivals to maximize charging performance, which worked for a time but ultimately led to running out of charge near Albany. Despite this, the Lucid Air's comfortable interior, particularly the frunk, was noted. The team faced charging inconsistencies, including non-functional 350kW chargers, forcing them to rely on slower options. While the car's navigation system's range predictions were often optimistic, the team learned to adjust. Ultimately, the Lucid Air finished eighth, with the team emphasizing that the car itself performed admirably under extreme conditions, and the issues stemmed from strategic gambles and infrastructure limitations rather than inherent flaws in the vehicle.