Lucid shifts to Panasonic batteries, some to be US-made

Some future variations of the Lucid Air and Gravity SUV could make their spectacular vary claims with U.S.-made batteries.

On Tuesday, Lucid Group and Panasonic Power Co. confirmed a multi-year settlement that can maintain Lucid provided because it ramps up the remainder of the Lucid Air lineup in 2023 and begins manufacturing of the Gravity SUV in 2024.

The Panasonic provide headed to Lucid will embrace lithium-ion cells from a facility in Japan, plus future manufacturing from the corporate’s upcoming plant in De Soto, Kansas, which has been claimed to be the biggest battery plant on the earth.

Evaluating 2170 vs. 1865 – Panasonic

Lucid already makes use of cells from LG Chem in some variations of the Air, together with the Grand Touring, whereas it is used cells from Samsung SDI in its preliminary Dream Version variations of the Air. A press launch issued by Panasonic Power and Lucid says that Panasonic batteries might be provided for Lucid’s “full automobile line-up,” so it’s unclear which variations may retain cells from these current suppliers, or whether or not they is likely to be funneled towards one other mission—like vitality storage merchandise, as an example.

Having U.S.-made battery cells in its automobiles could assist Lucid, because it produces extra lower-priced automobiles, to qualify for the revamped federal EV tax credit score, referred to as the Clear Automobile Credit score, and particularly its new U.S. sourcing necessities. The brand new credit score solely applies to vehicles that price $55,000 or much less, or to SUVs, vans, or pickups that price $80,000 or much less.

Nothing has but been mentioned about Gravity pricing, however presently, the Air lineup is not even near that. The bottom Air Pure prices $88,900 as we speak, together with the $1,500 vacation spot price, and it is onerous to think about the Gravity rising with a cheaper price. However later this decade Lucid does intend to deliver its efficiency-leading tech to extra reasonably priced fashions.

Lucid Air manufacturing

The Lucid Air, which stays the longest-range EV in the marketplace, is produced in Casa Grande, Arizona, and the Gravity SUV is because of be produced there in addition to a part of a plant enlargement. Panasonic is a longtime Tesla provider, and the Kansas plant will reportedly additionally present a lot of its output to Tesla. Canoo is one other smaller-scale U.S. EV maker that’s confirmed the usage of Panasonic cells, doubtless from the Kansas plant.

A change of cells for Lucid Air manufacturing may not be something the client even notices. As a startup, Lucid’s Atieva group provided battery packs for Formulation E racing and has maintained a deep data base of accessible cell varieties, chemistries, and thermal components.