Lucid Air owners will soon be able to charge their luxury EVs at Tesla’s Supercharger network, starting on July 31, following a nearly two-year-long partnership between the two automakers. However, there’s a significant caveat: Lucid Air vehicles will charge at a slower rate than Tesla EVs due to differences in their charging systems.
While Lucid owners will be able to access Tesla’s V3 Supercharger stations and above using an approved $220 adapter, the charging speed will be capped at 50 kW, much slower than the 250 kW peak speed that Tesla’s chargers provide. This slower charging rate is a result of the 924-volt Lucid Air charging system, which is incompatible with Tesla’s 400V charging infrastructure, according to Lucid spokesperson Andrew Hussey.
Despite the slower charging speeds, Lucid views this new feature as a valuable option for owners during long road trips or when located closer to Supercharger stations. Hussey explained that Lucid’s Wunderbox—the company’s integrated charging system—was modified to make this compatibility work and enable the 50 kW charging boost.
The partnership marks a significant shift in the EV charging landscape, as Tesla’s North America Charging Standard (NACS) is quickly becoming the dominant charging port across automakers. In contrast, Lucid’s Gravity SUV, set to launch soon, will feature NACS ports built directly into its vehicles, making future charging easier and faster.
This agreement comes at a time when Tesla’s Supercharger network is becoming an increasingly vital infrastructure for electric vehicle adoption in North America, with other automakers like Ford, Rivian, and General Motors also securing access to the network via similar agreements.
While Lucid Air owners may have to settle for slower charging speeds for now, the company’s growing footprint in the EV market and the eventual shift to NACS in its upcoming models will likely offer greater convenience and faster charging for owners down the road.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THKHWejSdmQ
