Lucid CEO Puts Brakes on Electric Truck Ambitions, Prioritizes Efficiency and SUV Production

The CEO of Lucid has expressed a disinterest in steering the company towards the development of an electric pickup truck, leaving those anticipating such a vehicle from Lucid likely disappointed.

During Lucid's production and tech event on Tuesday, the company's founder and chief executive, Peter Rawlinson, expressed his disinterest in considering the development of a pickup truck for Lucid.

The challenges Rawlinson faces with an electric truck revolve around optimizing energy use, determining the appropriate battery capacity, and developing a viable commercial strategy.

Rawlinson's stance regarding an electric pickup truck has evolved. Back in 2020, the chief executive informed Green Car Reports that while the company's paint shop was designed to accommodate larger vehicles such as pickups, Lucid did not have immediate plans to develop a pickup truck, though it was a possibility under consideration for the future.

Rawlinson's remarks on Tuesday suggest that the concept is now outdated.

Rawlinson expressed his belief that creating an electric pickup truck in the current climate is quite challenging.

Rawlinson pointed out that the primary challenges in developing an electric truck revolve around ensuring its practicality and affordability.

Rawlinson pointed out that towing reduces the efficiency of the activity, and although truck owners do engage in towing, it negatively affects the driving range. This results in the need for larger batteries, which in turn increases the overall costs and the market price.

Rawlinson asserts that a pickup with a 300-mile range would require a 120-kwh battery; however, this capacity falls short for towing purposes. He believes at least a 150-kilowatt-hour battery is necessary for a functional pickup truck. Meanwhile, the basic Pure version of the Lucid Air Sedan boasts an EPA-rated range of 420 miles, powered by an 84-kwh battery pack.

Rawlinson questioned, "How can you possibly achieve that with a price tag of around 50 to 60 thousand dollars and still have a viable business model?"

Rawlinson is dedicated to optimizing the range achieved from the most compact battery pack possible. The Chief Executive Officer mentioned in August that it would be years before rivals could match their pace. Lucid boasts the highest efficiency for a vehicle currently available in the U.S. market with its model, the Air, which has recorded an efficiency of 5.0 miles per kWh and 146 MPGe according to EPA evaluations.

At the industry event focused on production and tech advancements, Lucid provided a sneak peek of its future electric vehicle designed for the midsize SUV market. The company announced that this new model, aimed to rival the Tesla Model Y, is expected to hit the market towards the end of 2026 with a price tag under $50,000. Despite having a more compact battery, Lucid assures that the yet-to-be-named SUV will match the driving distance of

Lucid is currently concentrating on increasing the manufacturing of its electric Gravity SUV. The first models are already coming out of the production line, with plans to start delivering to customers before the year ends. Lucid also plans to equip the Gravity with a NACS charging port by 2025.

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