Saudi Arabia's EV maker, Lucid, breaks world record with 1,205 km drive across Europe in single charge

Time of India

3 days ago

Lucid's new record of 1,205 km surpasses its previous 1,045 km single-charge drive by 160 km, setting a major milestone/ Image: Lucid
Lucid Air, the Saudi-backed electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled on a single charge.
The company's Lucid Air Grand Touring model successfully covered 1,205 kilometers (around 749 miles) in a single drive, surpassing its previous record by 160 kilometers. The historic journey from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Munich, Germany, is a significant leap forward in the electric vehicle sector, further cementing Saudi Arabia's growing influence in the global electric mobility space.
A Record-Breaking Feat in Europe
Lucid's new record was set during a long-distance drive from the alpine resort town of St.
Moritz, Switzerland to Munich, Germany, covering 1,205 kilometers (749 miles) on a single battery charge. This journey, completed over the weekend, shattered the previous world record of 1,045 kilometers, set in June 2025, by a wide margin of 160 kilometers.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring, known for its luxury and performance blend, completed the journey across Alpine roads, highways, and secondary routes, showcasing both endurance and versatility.
The drive was conducted in real-world conditions, demonstrating the practicality of EVs in diverse terrains.
This is Lucid Motors' second Guinness World Record in electric vehicle endurance. The first, set in 2024, involved the same model completing a nine-country trip on a single charge. Both record attempts were led and organized by Umit Sabanci, a London-based entrepreneur who played a major role in planning and driving the journeys.
The Technology Behind the Achievement
At the core of the Lucid Air Grand Touring's breakthrough lies a suite of cutting-edge electric systems:
WLTP Range
: 960 km
Energy Consumption
: 13.5 kWh per 100 km
Power Output
: 831 PS
Top Speed
: 270 km/h
Ultra-Fast Charging
: Gains up to 400 km of range in just 16 minutes
The car was assembled at Lucid's Saudi Advanced Manufacturing Plant in King Abdullah Economic City, launched in 2023, aiming for 155,000 vehicles annually/ Image: Lucid
The range and efficiency demonstrated by the Lucid Air Grand Touring were achieved under real-world driving conditions, not just lab testing. The vehicle's high-voltage architecture, combined with a sophisticated battery management system, played a central role in maximizing energy use and extending the distance traveled on a single charge.
Eric Bach, Lucid's Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer, described the range milestone as an important achievement that highlights the technological advantage Lucid holds in the electric vehicle industry.
Lucid's Operations and Commitments in the Kingdom
Lucid's headquarters are in California, but the company's long-term growth is closely linked to Saudi Arabia. Its largest shareholder, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), owns about 60% of the company and has positioned Lucid as a key part of the Kingdom's industrial strategy under Vision 2030.
In September 2023, Lucid began final assembly of electric vehicles at its first international manufacturing facility in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The plant processed 800 vehicles in its initial phase, with plans to scale up production to 150,000 units annually.
Under a government agreement, Lucid is also set to supply 100,000 electric vehicles to Saudi Arabia over the next decade. This initiative is intended to support the local market and build capacity for future exports.
The latest endurance record reflects not only Lucid's technical progress but also Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to develop a competitive electric vehicle industry.
A Wider EV Ecosystem Taking Shape
Saudi Arabia is actively building a comprehensive EV ecosystem, with Lucid at the center, but it's one part of a wider effort. Several other notable projects and partnerships are also shaping the foundation of the Kingdom's electric vehicle sector:
Ceer and the Birth of Saudi-Made EVs
A second EV company, Ceer, is also backed by the PIF in a joint venture with Taiwan's Foxconn.
Ceer is building a $1.3 billion manufacturing complex in KAEC, covering 1 million square meters, with zones dedicated to every stage of vehicle production. The cars will incorporate BMW technology, and aim to establish a fully Saudi-based EV manufacturing ecosystem from the ground up.
BYD Enters the Saudi Market
In a separate but parallel development, Chinese EV giant BYD, now the world's top-selling electric vehicle brand — has entered Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company.
During a multi-city launch across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran, BYD introduced a range of models including the luxury BYD HAN, the performance-driven BYD SEAL, and the hybrid BYD SONG PLUS.
Building Charging Infrastructure: EVIQ
Recognizing that EVs are only as viable as their infrastructure, the PIF launched the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) with an ambitious target: 5,000 fast chargers across 1,000 locations by 2030. These will be placed in cities and along major roadways, adhering to strict technical standards and safety codes.
NEOM's Autonomous Future
And beyond EVs, Saudi Arabia is also investing in autonomous mobility. The NEOM Investment Fund has committed $100 million to Pony.ai, a leading player in self-driving technology. The deal includes co-development of autonomous vehicles and intelligent transport systems for NEOM, and potentially for wider use across the Middle East.