FYI: Lucid Motors’ CEO Peter Rawlinson shares insights on why the company won’t venture into the electric pickup truck market without significant advancements in battery technology.
Lucid Motors’ Reluctance to Dive into the EV Pickup Market
Lucid Motors has no current plans to develop an electric pickup truck, according to statements made by CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson at the Technology and Manufacturing Day event held at the company’s Arizona factory on Tuesday. Rawlinson expressed skepticism about the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of electric pickup trucks, citing the need for a substantial breakthrough in battery technology.
Challenges in Making Cost-Effective EV Pickups
Rawlinson highlighted the inherent challenges of producing electric pickup trucks that are both practical and economical. The primary issue lies in the size and cost of the batteries required for such vehicles. Pickup trucks are large and heavy, and owners often expect them to have towing capabilities, which further reduces their efficiency and range. This necessitates the use of extremely large battery packs, which in turn drive up costs.
- Battery Size and Cost: The Lucid Air Pure sedan offers 420 miles of range with an 84 kWh battery pack. In contrast, a functional electric pickup would require a minimum of 150 kWh to achieve around 300 miles of range, according to Rawlinson. Some current EV trucks, like the GMC Hummer EV, have battery packs exceeding 240 kWh, which are neither practical nor affordable for the mass market.
- Cost to Consumers: Rawlinson questioned the business viability of producing electric pickups that could compete in price with traditional trucks. Meeting the necessary range and performance metrics with current battery technology means the trucks would be significantly more expensive.
Lucid’s Focus on Efficiency
Lucid Motors is committed to maximizing miles per kilowatt-hour, aligning with its philosophy of efficiency. The company’s effort is focused on pushing the boundaries of what is possible with smaller, more efficient battery packs rather than bigger, more expensive ones.
- Gravimetric Energy Density: Rawlinson pointed out the need for advancements in gravimetric energy density to make electric pickups a viable product. Without this, the cost and size of the batteries required are prohibitive.
The Market Landscape
While Lucid remains cautious, other automobile manufacturers are diving head-first into the electric pickup market.
- Rivian R1T: Launched as the first electric pickup in the U.S. market in 2021, starting at $69,900 and rising to at least $76,900 for a version with over 300 miles of range.
- Ford F-150 Lightning: Starting at $67,995 for the 320-mile battery pack option, yet Ford has had to lower production expectations due to lackluster customer interest.
- General Motors and Tesla: GMC Sierra EV and Tesla Cybertruck are other notable mentions, but none come at a price point that Rawlinson believes is sustainable for widespread adoption.
Conclusion
Peter Rawlinson’s reluctance for Lucid to enter the electric pickup segment is rooted in a practical understanding of current technological limitations and cost barriers. Until significant advancements in battery technology occur, Lucid will focus on its strengths in maximizing efficiency and range with smaller battery packs.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
