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Lucid Air owners will soon be able to use Tesla Superchargers — but there’s acatch
Lucid Air owners can now charge at Tesla Supercharger stations starting July 31, 2023, but their vehicles will only charge at 50 kW due to a voltage mismatch, significantly lower than Tesla's 250 kW peak. An adapter costing $220 is needed. This agreement marks Lucid's entry into Tesla's charging network, as other automakers like Ford previously partnered with Tesla for similar access.
Key points
- Lucid Air owners gain access to Tesla's Supercharger network starting July 31, 2023.
- Lucid vehicles will charge at a reduced rate of 50 kW instead of Tesla's maximum 250 kW due to a voltage mismatch (924V Lucid vs. 400V Tesla).
- Owners need an approved adapter costing $220 for compatibility with Tesla's V3 and above Supercharger stations.
- Lucid's integrated charging system, Wunderbox, was modified to support this reduced charging capability.
- The issue reflects broader charging system standardization challenges in the EV industry, with Lucid's Gravity SUV set to adopt Tesla's North America Charging Standard (NACS) in future models.
Why it matters
- The partnership emphasizes the shift in EV standards towards Tesla's NACS, solidifying Tesla's market influence.
- Similar agreements by Ford and other automakers indicate a trend towards interoperability in EV charging systems, crucial for EV adoption.
- The ongoing debate over charging standards highlights the transition in the automotive industry as it adapts to increased EV production and infrastructure.
The collaboration between Lucid and Tesla for Supercharger access represents both progress in EV support but also underscores the challenges of charging technology harmonization, impacting future EV models and industry standards.