(Image Credit: Ludic Motors)
In a groundbreaking feat, Lucid Motors’ Air Grand Touring model set a new world record by completing an astonishing 749-mile journey on a single charge. The route spanned from the picturesque town of St. Moritz in Switzerland to the vibrant city of Munich in Germany, encompassing diverse terrains such as winding mountain passes, bustling highways, and narrow secondary roads.
The impressive achievement has earned Lucid Motors an official Guinness World Records trophy and solidified its reputation as a trailblazer in electric vehicle efficiency. With an official range of 960km (596 miles) under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), the Air Grand Touring model packs a punch with 831hp and can reach speeds close to 170mph.
Behind the wheel for this historic journey was London-based entrepreneur and hyper-miling legend, Umit Sabanci. Renowned for his endurance driving skills, Sabanci previously clinched a Guinness World Record for visiting nine countries on a single charge in a production battery electric vehicle back in 2024.
Reflecting on the remarkable accomplishment, Lucid claims that Sabanci’s strategic driving tactics not only surpassed the previous record by nearly 100 miles but also extended the vehicle’s WLTP range by an astounding 237 miles. The carefully planned route commenced at high altitudes in The Alps and concluded in Munich at significantly lower elevations, facilitating energy-efficient regenerative braking to maximize the performance of the massive 112kWh batteries.
While highlighting their charging technology capable of adding up to 248 miles of range in just 16 minutes from compatible fast charging stations, Lucid emphasizes their commitment to advancing EV capabilities beyond conventional standards.
The success of Lucid’s record-breaking endeavor underscores not only their innovative engineering prowess but also their dedication to optimizing powertrain components for enhanced aerodynamics and efficiency. The company’s focus on creating lightweight vehicles with superior energy efficiency is evident in models like the Air Pure, which boasts an exceptional energy efficiency rating of 5 miles per kWh—a benchmark rarely achieved by other electric vehicles.
Although currently positioned as a premium brand with prices ranging from $69,900 to over $169,000 in the US market, Lucid has ambitious plans to introduce more accessible offerings like the Gravity SUV priced at $79,900. This upcoming model will leverage a new midsize platform to deliver competitive range performance while offering significant cost savings compared to existing models—paving the way for broader market penetration and heightened competition with established players like Tesla.
As industry experts laud Lucid’s impressive accomplishments and ambitious roadmap towards democratizing cutting-edge EV technologies, it remains clear that this pioneering automaker is poised to redefine standards within the electric vehicle landscape through innovation and unwavering dedication to sustainability-driven mobility solutions.
