An electric car’s range and its efficiency are two separate measurements that should not be confused. Range is simply how far an electric car can go on a fully charged battery, while efficiency measures the amount of electricity it uses per kilometer. But regardless of whether you’re looking for maximum efficiency or maximum range, there’s one model that emerges as the winner. It’s not a Tesla, either – it’s actually the Lucid Air, which is both the most efficient and longest-range EV on the market, depending on the trim you choose.
The most efficient version of the Air is the Pure RWD version with 19-inch wheels, which uses 23 kWh of electricity per 100 miles, according to the EPA. That equates to 146 MPGe. Meanwhile, the most efficient Tesla is the Model Y Standard RWD with 18-inch wheels, which gets 138 MPGe. The Model 3 Long Range RWD isn’t far behind either, with an official estimate of 137 MPGe.
Despite the fact that the Air has been for sale for several years, Lucid remains a very small player in the EV market compared to Tesla. The brand’s cars are built in both Arizona and Saudi Arabia and are far from cheap. At the time of writing, the most affordable version of the Lucid Air Pure starts from just over $70,000. By comparison, the Tesla Model 3 currently starts under $40,000.
We were deeply impressed with the Lucid Air
It can be expensive, but after testing the Air we were convinced it justified its price tag. The most efficient version, the base-spec Air Pure RWD, is still a very capable car, despite being at the bottom of the equipment range. With a 0-62mph time in the mid-four seconds it’s ahead of some sports cars, but you don’t compromise on comfort or practicality like you would with a two-seater. The interior is also carefully laid out with a mix of screens and buttons, although like a Tesla the Air still relies on a touchscreen to access many of the most common controls.
The Air Pure is not only efficient, but also comparable in price to its luxury EV competition. However, buyers with a quarter of a million dollars burning a hole in their pockets can opt for the Lucid Air Sapphire, a crazy-fast version of the car that can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than two seconds and reach a speed of 200 mph, all with a range of over 400 miles. Unsurprisingly, the Air Sapphire is less efficient than its base-spec sibling, with an official estimate of 105 MPGe. However, despite its hypercar-level performance, it still manages to use less electricity per kilometer than regular electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Nissan Ariya.
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