Electric car manufacturer Lucid Motors enters UAE and Saudi Arabia

American electric car manufacturer, Lucid Motors, has started taking orders for deliveries of its new Lucid Air model in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed Lucid Motors which also supplies batteries to Formula E racing is headquartered in Silicon Valley and the Lucid Air is its first model.

Bookings for the sports sedan which will enter production in late 2020 at the company’s new factory in Casa Grande, Arizona, begin from approximately $1,000 (Dhs3,600), with the car expected to be priced at around $60,000 (Dhs220,000).

Deliveries are expected to commence in late 2021 initially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, followed by other regions within the Middle East.

A statement issued by Lucid Motors says that the Air features an integrated electric powertrain, including a battery pack, motors, power electronics, and software – all operating at an ultra-high 900V+ architecture – and can generate up to 1,000hp.

It also has a claimed range of over 400 miles and a top speed of 200 miles per hour, besides a 0-60-mph time of just 2.5 seconds.

The company has already manufactured more than half of the expected 80 beta prototypes of the Air which are being used for comprehensive testing and validation as well as crash testing to ensure passenger safety.

The company said that the vehicle’s final interior and exterior designs, as well as new details on production specifications, available configurations, and pricing information will also be shared subsequently.

“The Middle East is in a unique position to help ensure the growth of the EV market worldwide and we are very excited to offer the Lucid Air in a region that is expected to become a key market,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors.

Rawlinson is the former Tesla Model S chief engineer.

“As the region actively diversifies from traditional industries and explores new renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, Lucid will be able to offer a pure-electric vehicle that meets the unique needs of consumers, including real inter-city range alongside unsurpassed power and luxury,” added Rawlinson.