Lucid Group Inc (NASDAQ:LCID), the US startup bossed by Tesla's former design chief, has started production of the electric vehicle with the longest range in the world and customers will receive the first shipments next month
The company, which last week wrestled the crown from Tesla as its Lucid Air Dream Edition R became the first electric car ever to go more than 500 miles between charges, said its target is to produce up to 90,000 vehicles per annum in the next two years.
After first deliveries are made of the Lucid Air Dream Edition in late October, cheaper models will follow, it said.
The Dream Edition R, which is priced at $169,000, was officially approved as having a 520-mile driving range, while the cheapest model, the Lucid Air Pure, will have a price tag of $77,400 when it goes into production late next year, chief executive officer Peter Rawlinson said.
With more than 13,000 reservations having been received for the various Lucid Air models, the California-based company said it will now make an increased number of 520 of the Lucid Air Dream Edition.
Rawlinson, who was chief engineer of the Tesla Model S, said: "We've ridden customers of the fear of range anxiety. The next big obstacle is cost effectiveness of electric cars. We've got to get the cost down."