It has only just been four months after it broke ground, but the Lucid Motors factory in Arizona looks like it is already almost complete. The company, founded 11 years ago, started off with a different name and a different mission. Back in 2011, it was called Atieva and the focus was on making electric car batteries. Since then, it has changed names, secured $1 billion in funding from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and will soon start building electric vehicles.
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The carmaker’s new home is well ahead of schedule but construction has temporarily been suspended due to COVID-19.
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Despite the pause, Lucid Motors does not expect a significant delay in its completion and once it is finished, the plant will begin production of the first model, the Air, and more performance details about it have emerged.
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The company's CEO/CTO, Peter Rawlinson, has revealed that the Air could have 1,800 horsepower! It might feature a three-motor setup like the ones planned for the GMC Hummer EV and the Tesla Cybertruck. Lucid is also working on new permanent-magnet electric drive motors.
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The original concept had a 400-volt system with induction motors that, in the highest-spec powertrain, produced 1,000 horsepower.
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But now, more powerful permanent-magnet motors will be used along with a 900-volt system. Lucid Motors says it is developing powertrains with one, two, or three of those motors.
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The company plans on revealing the Air in August with full powertrain and performance details announced then too with production starting later this year if the pandemic is under control by then.
Image Credit: Lucid Motors
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